Telephone line communications control system with dynamic call streaming

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a novel technique in the automatic control of the size of a network of remote attendants in accordance with varying incoming call traffic patterns. The remote attendants are on the public switched telephone network. The system routes incoming calls via outgoing lines to the attendants. The remote attendants can receive a &#34;stream&#34; of incoming calls within one outgoing call to an attendant. The remote attendants are kept on-line, that is, &#34;off-hook&#34; as long as the amount of waiting time between incoming calls does not exceed a maximum waiting interval set by the supervisor. When the attendant has to wait for the next incoming call for longer than a maximum waiting interval set by a supervisor, then the attendant can be automatically disconnected from the system. As call traffic increases, the system can automatically redial the remote attendant to be re-networked so as to receive another &#34;stream&#34; of incoming calls. This technique for automatically controlling the on-line status of the remote attendant in response to incoming call traffic is called &#34;Dynamic Call Streaming&#34;. Dynamic Call Streaming reduces toll charges by adding or dropping the remote attendant on or off the network as needed while maintaining a high level of service.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation in part of prior U.S. Pat. application Ser. No.07/249,220 (now U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,799) filed on Sept. 19 1988 which inturn is a continuation of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 07/106,726,filed on Oct. 5, 1987, now abandoned, in which a telephonecommunications control system was described which greatly facilitatesproviding attendant service for multiple incoming calls at the sametime.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improvement in telephone communicationscontrol systems.

Many organizations gather and distribute information in the course oftelephone calls serviced at least in part by members of a staff ofattendants or agents. Such organizations include major corporationswhich conduct television or other media advertising campaigns toencourage customers and potential customers to call the organization viaa telephone number that is toll-free to the caller. The area code "800"is used in the United States for such toll-free telephone numbers.

Other such organizations include non-commercial public broadcastingstations which solicit contributions from the viewing public to defraythe cost of providing the broadcast services. Typically, such stationsreceive volunteer help from a large group of people who serve as anattendant staff to service incoming calls.

As to commercial television stations, they often broadcast telethons toraise money for charity and likewise need a large group of people toservice incoming calls. Religious and other non-commercial organizationsalso use telecasts to encourage viewers to call the organization toreceive pamphlets and other materials of interest.

In each of the above-described situations, there is a need to provide,in a systematic and orderly way, for prompt and efficient servicing ofthe calls.

Providing attendant service for multiple incoming calls at the same timerequires multiple incoming lines. Unless a sufficient number of incominglines are provided to meet the needs of peak volume traffic, incomingcallers will have to wait for service, and the longer the wait, thehigher the percentage of callers who will hang up before receivingservice. A tariff charge must be paid by the subscriber for everyincoming line. Further, if the incoming line is one which provides fortoll-free dialing, the subscriber must pay usage charges for the line.Thus, a substantial expense can be incurred in subscribing to and usingmany lines.

The system described in prior application No. 07/249,220 providesnumerous advantages in its ability to route incoming calls onto anoutgoing line on the public switched network to attendants, who can beworking at a remote location such as a regional call center or home. Anetwork of attendants is established to which many calls could bequickly routed without having the remote attendants hang up betweencalls, thus minimizing call routing time. Keeping the remote attendantson-line is well suited to those periods of time when the incoming calltraffic pattern is at a high level of activity, especially when theincoming lines are saturated with calls.

The technique of keeping an attendant on-line to the network andextending a series, sequence or stream of calls to an attendant withoutthe need for an attendant to hang up between calls can be referred to byone of any number of phrases. This technique is referred to as "CallStreaming" within this application.

The afore-referenced system was also operable in a traffic-dependentmode where the attendants were not connected to the system until thedetection of an incoming call. The incoming call would trigger thesystem to call a scheduled attendant. Thus, it would take longer toconnect a caller to an attendant than in the instance when the attendantwas already on-line, but this method was particularly cost-effectivewhen the incoming call traffic pattern was very sporadic or even random.

The afore mentioned system has numerous advantages, but furtherimprovements in its operation can yet be made.

It is desirable to minimize the usage of the outgoing line to the remoteattendant when the number of incoming calls is low, and thus the linecharges; but to maintain the advantages of quick call routing when thenumber of incoming calls is very high.

It is also desirable to incorporate additional automated networkmanagement capability within such a system, such as automaticallyadapting the network to intermediate or varying levels of incoming calltraffic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a novel and advantageous technique in theautomatic control of the size of the attendant network in accordancewith varying incoming call traffic patterns.

The invention may be defined in various terms. According to onedefinition of the present invention, it resides in a telecommunicationscontrol system for accepting a plurality of multi-purpose stations foruse as attendant stations in an attendant service complex to servicecalls directed to the system from originating stations. This systemcomprises a first plurality of multi-purpose stations in definingopposite ends of a call connection path. Each of these connectioncontrollers has controllable switching means for opening the callconnection path and releasing the respective multi-purpose station.

This system further includes a second plurality of connectioncontrollers. Each connection controller in this second plurality ofconnection controllers provides for cooperating with a respective one ofa plurality of originating stations in defining opposite ends of a callconnection path. This system further includes controllableinter-connection means arranged between the first and second pluralityof connection controllers, and includes means for controlling theinter-connection means such that incoming calls from originatingstations are extended to multi-purpose stations that have been acceptedas attendant stations.

A means is provided for measuring the interval of time between incomingcalls to each of the second plurality of connection controllers.

If a remote attendant is kept on-line, then incoming calls can be routedalmost instantaneously to a waiting attendant. It is not financiallypractical to keep all attendants on-line, unless the level of incomingcall traffic is very high. If a remote attendant is kept off-line (i.e.,his telephone is on-hook), then it will take a certain number of secondsto go off-hook, dial, security check and extend a call to an attendant.This lessens toll charges, but increases the chances that the callerwill hang up. Numerous advantages of the above described system flowfrom the measurement of the time interval between incoming calls foreach attendant.

As soon as multipurpose stations have been accepted as attendantstations, the amount of time between incoming calls is measured for eachattendant. If the idle time between calls exceeds a preset maximumwaiting interval then that attendant is disconnected from the system.The system will re-activate the attendant when an incoming call isdetected on the corresponding incoming line. By such means, the systemis able to operate in a traffic dependant mode of operation, andminimize the outgoing line charges.

According to another definition of the invention, it resides in a systemfor networking such a plurality of multi-purpose stations in anattendant service complex. To provide for such networking, the systemincludes connection controllers arranged into a first plurality and asecond plurality, with the first plurality cooperating withmulti-purpose stations and with the second plurality cooperating withoriginating stations. Controllable inter-connection means are arrangedbetween the first and second plurality of connection controllers. Thesystem for networkinq includes means for controlling theinter-connection means such that incoming calls from originatingstations are extended to multi-purpose stations that have been networkedfor use as attendant stations with such controlling means includingmeans for causing a plurality of incoming calls to be extended to thesame multi-purpose station during an interval throughout which themulti-purpose station remains networked as an attendant station.

The system includes means for measuring the interval of time betweenincoming calls to each of the second plurality of connectioncontrollers.

To minimize line usage charges, the operation of the presently preferredembodiment of this invention is traffic volume dependent, and includesmeans to release a multi-purpose station if the time period betweencalls exceeds a preset maximum waiting interval, then respond to arequest to establish a call connection path for an incoming call byoriginating a call to, and re-establishing the previously releasedmulti-purpose station as an attendant station, and then substantiallysimultaneously complying with the request in extending the incoming callto the re-established attendant station. Usage charges for both outgoingand incoming lines are reduced because of this feature. As to outgoinglines, the reduction in usage charges is a function of the averageduration of a sequence of calls compared to the average duration betweencalls. As to incoming lines, because in this sequence the multi-purposestation is re-established as a network station before responding to therequest, usage charges for the expensive incoming lines such as "800"lines are reduced.

The system not only minimizes outgoing line charges but also is able toautomatically control the size or extent of the network of attendants bydisconnecting attendants from the network or re-establishing previouslynetworked attendant stations as required by the incoming call trafficpattern and thus maintain a balance between keeping all the attendantson-line and keeping all the inactive attendants off-line.

The ability of the system to automatically control the size of thenetwork of attendants by in effect turning Call Streaming on or off, asneeded, to each attendant is particularly advantageous and is referredto as Dynamic Call Streaming. Network Control of such a type isespecially advantageous when the attendants are remote attendantsconnected to the system through the public switched network. Such anetwork of remote attendants is a "virtual" network operating on top ofthe public switched network.

According to another definition of the present invention, it resides inan interactively-supervised, computer-controlled system for allocatingtasks in a network for servicing incoming calls. The system comprisescomputer processing means and call extending means. The computerprocessing means includes means providing digitally coded commands tothe call extending means and the call extending means includes meansproviding status data to the computer processing means so that the callextending means provides for extending incoming calls for answer andservice by a group of service attendants in accord with an allocation oftasks determined by the digitally coded commands. The system furtherincludes display means and manual input means for use by a supervisor ininteractively controlling the computer processing means. The computerprocessing means is continually responsive to status data provided bythe call extending means to generate on the display means ahuman-readable, continually updated status report by which thesupervisor may be prompted to use the manual input means to entersupervisory commands. The computer processing means is responsive tosuch manually entered supervisory commands to provide digitally codedcommands to cause a reallocation of tasks.

The computer processing means includes means for determining the lengthof the interval between incoming calls. The system further includesmanual input means for use by a supervisor in interactively adjusting oraltering the maximum waiting interval for individual attendants orgroups of attendants. The computer processing means is continuallyresponsive to status data provided by the call extending means togenerate on the display means a human readable, continually updatedstatus report by which the supervisor may be prompted to use the manualinput means to set or alter the maximum waiting intervals. Through theautomatic control of the size of the network of attendants, thesupervisor can devote his attention to other aspects of supervising thenetwork.

A particularly advantageous feature is that a supervisor can alter inreal-time the maximum waiting interval as needed to match the incomingtraffic call pattern and desired levels of service in terms ofminimizing the call connection time to remote attendants and alsominimizing the outgoing line charges.

The foregoing and other novel and advantageous features of thisinvention are described in detail below and are recited in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall general functional block diagram of a system forinteractively supervising a computer-controlled sub-system to allocatetasks in a network for servicing incoming calls;

FIG. 2 is an annotated map indicating a representative,geographically-dispersed configuration of a system whereby the publicswitched network is used to extend calls to multi-purpose stationslocated in various parts of the United States;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a modular organizationof electronic equipment incorporated in the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows mechanical features of the modular organization;

FIG. 5 is a block and schematic diagram of a bus controller incorporatedin each of a series of rows of a line connection sub-system rack mountedin a cabinet in the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block and schematic diagram of circuitry included on acommunications card used in the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a block and schematic diagram of circuitry for a supervisorystation connection controller included on a monitor card used in thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a block and schematic diagram of sequencing circuitry for themonitor card;

FIG. 9 is a block and schematic diagram of command-decoding circuitryfor the monitor card;

FIG. 10 is a block and schematic diagram of a circuit arrangement thatis replicated on an audio message card used in the preferred embodimentfor generating and transmitting messages;

FIG. 11 is a block and schematic diagram of a circuit arrangement,similar in most respects to that of FIG. 10, and having additionalcircuitry used for digitizing an audio message and storing the digitizedmessage in a RAM;

FIG. 12 is a block and schematic diagram of command-decoding circuitryfor the audio message card;

FIG. 13 is a block and schematic diagram of circuitry on the audiomessage card for providing status data;

FIG. 14 is a general functional block diagram of a line card used in thepresent invention for each pair of incoming and outgoing telephonelines;

FIG. 15 is a block and schematic diagram of a portion of the line card,and shows circuitry for a pair of connection controllers and aninter-connection switch;

FIG. 16 is a block and schematic diagram of another portion of the linecard, and shows circuitry for implementing audio interface incorporatingaudio selection switches;

FIG. 17 is a block and schematic diagram of another portion of the linecard, and shows circuitry for controlling audio selection switches;

FIG. 18 is a block and schematic diagram of another portion of the linecard, and shows sequencing circuitry for the connection controller forthe outgoing line;

FIG. 19 is a block and schematic diagram of another portion of the linecard, and shows sequencing circuitry for the connection controller forthe incoming line;

FIG. 20 is a block and schematic diagram of another portion of the linecard, and shows circuitry for DTMF number generation and in-band signaldecoding;

FIG. 21 is a block and schematic diagram of another portion of the linecard, and shows command-decoding circuitry;

FIG. 22 is a block and schematic diagram of another portion of the linecard, and shows circuitry for providing status data;

FIG. 23 shows a representative displayed status report for a supervisorat a supervisory console;

FIG. 24 shows a top portion of a displayed status report, in which apull-down menu appears as a result of the selection of "Control";

FIG. 25 is related to FIG. 24, and shows a maximum waiting intervaltimer selection pull-out menu resulting from a selection of "Activate"from the pull-down menu;

FIG. 26 is related to FIG. 25, and shows an activate pull-out sub-menuresulting from the selection of a particular timer from the priorpull-out menu.

FIG. 27 provides, for the manual entry for a phone number as a result ofa selection of "phone";

FIG. 28 shows a top portion of a displayed status report, in which apull-down menu appears as a result of the selection of "Shift";

FIG. 29 comprises FIGS. 29A and 29B, and is a general flow chart ofoverall operations involved in one of three processes carried out by asupervisory computer in the presently preferred embodiment, each of thethree processes operating independently of one another; the process ofFIG. 29 being for communications between the supervisory computer and acontrolling computer incorporated in the presently preferred embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a general flow chart of overall operations involved in asecond of the three processes carried out by the supervisory computer,the process of FIG. 30 being for real-time timing and for automaticfunctions;

FIG. 30 is a general flow chart of overall operations involved in thesecond of the three processes carried out by the supervisory computer,the process of FIG. 30 being for real-time timing and for automaticfunctions;

FIG. 31 is a general flow chart of overall operations involved in thirdof the three processes carried out by the supervisor computer, theprocess of FIG. 31 being for the user interface;

FIG. 32 comprises FIGS. 32A and 32B, and is a more detailed flow chartof certain operations involved in the process of FIG. 31 with respect toprocessing a user command to send to the controlling computer;

FIG. 33 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations involved inthe process of FIG. 31 with respect to processing a system configurationcommand;

FIG. 34 comprises FIGS. 34A and 34B, and is a more detailed flow chartof certain operations involved in the process of FIG. 31 with respect toprocessing shift and attendant commands;

FIG. 35 is a general flow chart of overall operations involved in amain, outer loop carried out by the controlling computer;

FIG. 36 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 35, in particular operations for processing commandsfrom the supervisory computer;

FIG. 37 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 36, in particular operations for servicing incomingtelephone number commands;

FIG. 38 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 36, in particular operations for servicing linecontrol commands;

FIG. 39 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 38, in particular operations for servicing anactivate attendant command;

FIG. 40 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 38, in particular operations for servicing adeactivate attendant command;

FIG. 41 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 36, in particular operations for servicing monitorcontrol commands;

FIG. 42 comprises FIGS. 42A and 42B, and is a more detailed flow chartof certain operations generally referred to in FIG. 36, in particularoperations for servicing a configuration command;

FIG. 43 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 36, in particular operations for servicing help andemergency commands;

FIG. 44 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 43, in particular operations for transferring anincoming caller;

FIG. 45 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 35, in particular operations for scanning for linecard status changes;

FIG. 46 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 35, in particular operations for the processing ofstatus changes;

FIG. 47 comprises FIGS. 47A and 47B a more detailed flow chart ofcertain operations generally referred to in FIG. 35, in particularoperations for the processing of status changes;

FIG. 48 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 47A, in particular operations carried out upondetermining that the outgoing line is back on hook;

FIG. 49 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 47A, in particular operations for processing of DTMFstatus changes;

FIG. 50 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 49, in particular operations to service a DTMF helprequest;

FIG. 51 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 49, in particular operations to service a DTMFemergency request;

FIG. 52 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 49, in particular operations to service a DTMFemergency request;

FIG. 53 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 49, in particular operations carried out if anattendant refuses calls;

FIG. 54 comprises FIGS. 54A and 54B, and is a more detailed flow chartof certain operations generally referred to in FIG. 49, in particularoperations to service a DTMF activation for another call;

FIG. 55 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 49, in particular operations to service a DTMFresponse from an emergency attendant;

FIG. 56 is a, more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 47B, in particular operations carried out if anincoming caller has hung up;

FIG. 57 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 56, in particular operations involved when atransfer has been attempted;

FIG. 58 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 56, in particular operations involved other thanwhen a transfer has been attempted;

FIG. 59 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 47B, in particular operations carried out if anattendant has hung up;

FIG. 60 comprises FIGS. 60A and 60B, and is a more detailed flow chartof certain operations generally referred to in FIG. 59, in particularoperations involved when a transfer has been attempted;

FIG. 61 comprises FIGS. 61A and 61B, and is a more detailed flow chartof certain operations generally referred to in FIG. 59, in particularoperations involved other than when; a transfer has been attempted; and

FIG. 62 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 46, in particular operations for dumping an internalline database to the supervisory computer.

FIG. 63 is a more detailed flow chart of certain operations generallyreferred to in FIG. 38, in particular operations for servicing a standbyattendant command.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows, in general block diagram form, major functional elementsof an interactively-supervised, computer-controlled system 1A organizedin accord with the presently preferred embodiment of this invention.System 1A provides for allocating tasks in a network for servicingincoming calls arriving on a plurality of incoming telephone lines 1Bsuch as incoming line 1B-1.

System 1A comprises a line connection sub-system 1C arranged betweenincoming telephone lines IB and a plurality of outgoing telephone lines1D such as line 1D-1. System 1A further comprises a computer processingsub-system 1E which digitally communicates with line connectionsub-system 1C. In digitally communicating with line connectionsub-system 1C, computer processing sub-system 1E provides digitallycoded commands and receives status data. Through such digitalcommunication, line connection sub-system 1C cooperates with computeprocessing sub-system 1E and operates under its control to provide acall extending controller 2A (FIG. 2) capable of operating on anautonomous basis to extend incoming calls for answer and service by agroup of people working as service attendants in accord with anallocation of tasks determined by the digitally coded commands.

System 1A further includes a display means such as a video displayterminal 1F and manual input means such as a mouse 1G for use by aperson designated as a supervisor in interactively controlling computerprocessing sub-system 1E. A keyboard 1H is part of video displayterminal 1F, and may also be used by a supervisor who prefers to entersupervisory commands by keyboard entry rather than through mouse 1G.

A supervisory station 1I is connected via a monitor phone line 1J toline connection sub-system 1C to provide an audio link that thesupervisor uses to confer with an incoming caller, with one or moreservice attendants, or with an incoming caller and a service attendantsimultaneously. In system 1A, supervisory station 1I is a conventionaltouch-tone dial telephone instrument with a microphone and speaker foroptional hands-free talking and listening; one of numerous alternativesinvolves using a headset as supervisory station 1I. In combination,supervisory station 1I, video display terminal 1F, and mouse 1G providea supervisory console generally indicated as 1K.

Computer processing sub-system 1E is continually responsive to statusdata provided by line connection sub-system 1C to generate on videodisplay terminal 1F a human-readable, continually updated status reportby which the supervisor may be prompted to use mouse 1G to entersupervisory commands. Computer processing sub-system 1E is responsive tosuch manually entered supervisory commands to provide digitally codedcommands to cause a re-allocation of tasks, as explained more fullybelow with reference to more detailed drawings concerning theconstruction and operation of system 1A.

System 1A can be set up in any of a variety of configurations to suitthe needs of any particular organization and facilitate the handling ofmultiple incoming calls in an efficient way. With respect to computerprocessing sub-system 1E, the functions it performs divide in generalway into functions relating to communicating with and controlling lineconnection sub-system 1C whereby incoming calls can be autonomouslyextended, and into functions relating to communicating with andcontrolling video display terminal 1F whereby human-readable statusreports can be displayed and the supervisor can interactively exercisehuman control over system functions. A suitable, and presentlypreferred, configuration of computer processing sub-system 1E entailstwo physically separate microprocessor-controlled computers of the kindcommonly described as personal computers, and a data communication linkbetween the two personal computers. Herein, one of these personalcomputers is referred to as a controlling computer, and the other as asupervisory computer. With such presently preferred configuration, thecontrolling computer operates under software control to cooperate withline connection sub-system 1C to define call extending controller 2A(FIG. 2) which extends incoming calls to service attendants on anautonomously operating basis. It should be understood that the physicaldivision of computer processing sub-system 1E into two separate personalcomputers is a subordinate detail. It would be suitable, for example, toemploy a so-called "dumb terminal" with which a supervisor interactswith the system, and to concentrate computer processing functions withina single computer.

With reference to FIG. 2, there will now be described a representativeoverall system configuration, set up for an organization havingfacilities in Dallas, Texas and an office in Chicago, Illinois.

The representative configuration of FIG. 2 takes advantage ofparticularly preferred features of a system, whereby the incoming liensand the outgoing liens are connected to the public switched network.Because the incoming liens are connected to the public switched network,through a central office 2B near the Dallas facilities, a caller canoriginate an incoming call to the system from any arbitrary location,e.g., New York City as indicated in FIG. 2, with the incoming call beingrouted through a nearby central office 2C over the public switchednetwork to central office 2B. The organization can subscribe to a groupof incoming toll-free lines, all appearing to have the same "800"telephone number. The routing of any incoming call, originated bydialing the "800" number, is effected in accord with the standardtechniques of the public switched network.

Because the outgoing lines are connected to the public switched network,incoming calls can be extended to various arbitrary locations, includingprivate homes where ordinary home telephones can be used by a part-timestaff of at-home service attendants to answer and service the calls.

For example, one of the part-time staff of at-home service attendantscan answer and service calls extended by system 1A through the publicswitched network to Seattle, Washington, as indicated in FIG. 2. Becauseof the three-hour difference between the time zones for the East Coastand the West Coast, it often will be desirable to take this timedifference into account in forming a shift of at-home serviceattendants. Thus, when a high volume of incoming calls are likely to beplaced from locations in the East Coast in the early morning there, saybetween 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., it is more desirable for the staff ofat-home service attendants to be selected from residents along the EastCoast.

As to the person who is to serve as the supervisor of the system, thatperson likewise can work at any arbitrary location, e.g., in theorganization's offices in Chicago. In accord with preferred features ofthis invention, modems (not shown in FIG. 2) are provided to communicatedata over the public switched network between call extending controller2A located in Dallas and supervisory console 1K located in Chicago.

Further with respect to overall operation of system 1A, it is highlydesirable for it to provide features making efficient use of theinvestment made in the system and in leasing telephone lines, and tominimize telephone usage charges, both with respect to usage charges forthe incoming lines that are toll free only to the originating parties,and with respect to usage charges for the outgoing lines.

To provide for such efficiency, it is advantageous for the system toinclude automatic dialing features to place calls to a group ofmulti-purpose stations such as at-home telephones, and accept thesecalled stations as network stations, all just before the beginning ofany period of predictable high volume incoming traffic.

One of the advantages of the present invention, to be described ingreater detail subsequently, is the ability of the system toautomatically control or regulate the size of the network of remoteattendants to correspond to the incoming call traffic pattern. As morecalls arrive, more attendants are networked or re-networked by thesystem to process calls. As the number of incoming calls decreases andas attendants spend more idle time between calls than is permitted underthe preset maximum waiting interval for each attendant, then aproportionate number of attendants are disconnected from the network andplaced on standby. By such means, the outgoing line charges areminimized.

System 1A has such preferred automatic dialing features as disclosed inmore detail below, and has further novel and advantageous featuresrelating to accepting multi-purpose stations into the network or complexof attendant service stations, and relating to performing this functionin a highly automated way. AS part of this automation, system 1Aprovides automatic message transmitting features, whereby serviceattendants upon answering the call automatically placed by the systemare greeted with a pre-recorded message, alerting them that the callbeing answered is one from the system, and thereby prompting the entryof a code defining a security clearance signal which is transmitted inDTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) signal form to system 1A. System 1Aprovides for transmitting numerous other messages under variouscircumstances, such as at the end of a shift; for transmitting music,for example, while a service attendant is waiting to have an incomingcall extended; and for transmitting a prompt tone to the serviceattendant just before an incoming call is to be extended.

With reference to FIG. 3, system 1A will now be described at a moredetailed block diagram level. To emphasize basic features of system 1Aand to avoid obscuring such basic features with subordinate detail,various matters concerning the construction of this specific embodimentare referenced in FIG. 3 in general terms. One such matter concerns amatrix of line cards referenced in FIG. 3 in general terms as line card3A(0,1) through line card 3A(M,N), where M stands for row and N standsfor column. In a specific embodiment, particularly suitable for handlinga high volume of incoming traffic, there are 75 line cards arranged infive rows (0..6) and fifteen columns (1..15).

The line cards form part of line connection sub-system 1C that isappropriately characterized as a hardware sub-system. In addition to theline cards, sub-system 1C includes a separate row bus corresponding toeach row of line cards, including row (0) bus, row (1) bus, and row (M)bus. Sub-system 1C further includes a separate bus controllercorresponding to each row bus, including bus controller (0), buscontroller (1), and bus controller (M). Sub-system 1C further includes asystem bus, and a plurality of system cards. As presently arranged, thespecific embodiment has the capacity to receive up to five differentsystem cards, including such system cards as may be provided in futureexpansion to provide special functions that may be desired. One of thesystem cards that is used in this specific embodiment is a SYS. CARD 0,which is also referred to as communications card 3B.

FIG. 3 also shows a controlling computer 3C which communicates with lineconnection sub-system 1C through communications card 3B. Communicationscard 3B has an a synchronous communications interface for communicatingwith controlling computer 3C. FIG. 3 also shows supervisory console 1Kas comprising a remote supervisory computer 3D and supervisory station1I. A modem phone line 3E connects remote supervisory computer 3D tocontrolling computer 3C. Controlling computer 3C has an internal modemwhich is connected via modem phone line 3E to a remote modem withinremote supervisory computer 3D.

Another one of the system cards, viz, SYS. CARD 1 (also referred to asmonitor card 3F) communicates with supervisory station 1I via monitorcard 3F) communicates with supervisory station 1I via monitor phone line1J. Another one of the system cards, viz, SYS. CARD 2 (also referred toas audio message card 3G) provides circuitry used in automatic messagetransmitting features of system 1A.

Each line card has an incoming line interface, an outgoing lineinterface, and a row bus interface. Line card 3A(0,1) has its incomingline interface connected to incoming line 1B-1, and has its outgoingline interface connected to outgoing line ID-1. In general, any linecard can be referred to as line card 3A(i,j) has its incoming lineinterface connected to incoming line 1B-[(i*15)+j] and its outgoing lineinterface connected to outgoing line 1D-[(i*15)+j].

Each of the line cards along a row has its row bus interface connectedto the particular row bus of row bus (0) through row bus (M) thatcorresponds to that row. All the bus controllers and all the systemcards connect directly to the system bus.

FIG. 4 shows the line cards in place within a cabinet 4A that is astandard size cabinet for housing rack-mounted printed circuit boards.Within cabinet 4A there are five backplane or motherboards 4B-O through4B-M, each extending across the width of cabinet 4A. In accord withconventional techniques, each line card has an edge connector forconnection to a mating, vertically oriented connector on such amotherboard. As indicated in FIG. 4, the fifteen line cards of each roware horizontally spaced apart within cabinet 4A.

Each motherboard has, in addition to the fifteen connectors for a row ofline cards, another connector for a system card. As indicated above,each system card communicates with the system bus. Each motherboard alsosupports circuitry (FIG. 5) for implementing the functions of the buscontroller for the corresponding row.

To provide a further general overview of the entire system beforeproceeding into a detailed disclosure of specific implementing hardware,there will now be described, with reference to FIG. 23, a representativehuman-readable status report that is displayed to the supervisor. Thisrepresentative displayed status report, like others described below, hasa format suitable for presentation on a standard 25-line monochromedisplay, but preferable is displayed on a color display so that easilyremembered color codes can facilitate prompting of the supervisor.

The top line of the displayed status report is referred to herein as amain menu selection line. Any item on the main menu selection line canbe selected by the supervisor by moving mouse 1G so as to position amouse cursor to the desired item and clicking a button on the mouse.Some of the main menu items have associated sub-menus (not shown in FIG.23), each of which presents sub-selections in a pull-down menu uponselection of a main menu item. Further, some sub-selections on certainpull-down menus have associated options that are presented as a pull-outmenu as explained more fully below.

The main menu items appearing on the representative displayed statusreport of FIG. 23 are "Control," "Shift," "Times," "Config" and"Monitor."

Beneath the main menu selection line there is an area that in therepresentative displayed status report of FIG. 23 sets out various typesof information. Global information provided includes the current dateand time and information concerning a "Shift", i.e., informationidentifying, as a group, the people who are serving as serviceattendants, and statistical information ("Calls" and "Drops) concerningthe performance of the system. Statistical information ("Calls" and"Drops") is provided on the specific "Shift" and "Ringthrough" inprogress. A "ringthrough" is defined as a period of time within a shiftduring which a large number of incoming calls are expected. Alsoprovided is specific information such as name, phone number, activitylevel and status of the particular attendant, whose status block issurrounded by the box on the display further below, which indicates thatthat line is also being monitored. Beneath the upper information area isa legend line showing six items, viz., "Dialing," "Not Ready," "Ready,""Call," "Busy," and "Standby." Each of these items is displayed with acolor-coded box to aid the supervisor in interpreting the color codingof the displayed status report.

Beneath the legend line there is a matrix display area that in thisspecific embodiment has 75 elements that are in one-to-onecorrespondence with the 75 line cards mentioned above. Each of theelements in the matrix display area comprises a box and an optional linecard number. Each box provides status information concerning acorresponding line card; preferably this is provided by color coding theboxes. In FIG. 23, each box is shaded for the color blue, this being thecolor used to indicate a line card condition in which there is noattendant on line, and software has made the line card idle by "busying"its incoming line. Other colors, not shown in FIG. 23, are: bright redto indicate that the attendant is not ready to service an incoming call;yellow to indicate that the attendant is waiting for an incoming call;green to indicate that the attendant is servicing an incoming call; andgrey to indicate that an attendant is on standby, i.e. not currentlyon-line to the system but scheduled to be ready to be networked to thesystem if the level of incoming call traffic requires that attendant toservice a call.

One box at a time is surrounded by a frame that serves as a displaypointer to a line card. In FIG. 23, the display pointer happens to beframing the box numbered "18." This means that the supervisor can issuesupervisory commands targeted to affect the line card that has a linecard ID of "18." 1f the supervisor wants to issue supervisory commandstargeted to affect a different line card, the supervisor can move mouse1G to position the mouse cursor at the desired box, then click the mousebutton, and the display pointer will jump to the selected box.

If the supervisor wishes to monitor a particular line, the supervisorcan position the mouse cursor to the "Monitor" item on the mainselection line and then click the mouse cursor button. The "monitor"item is a toggle type of selection, i.e., successful selections of thisitem toggle between an incoming line monitor and an outgoing linemonitor. The status of the monitor item toggle is also visuallydisplayed; in the preferred embodiment, the display pointer is a singleline frame in one case, and a double line frame in another case. Thereis no need for any pull-down menu for any of the toggle items.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, there will now be described circuitryinvolved in communicating digitally coded commands and status data, andaudio, between controlling computer 3C and sub-system 1C. FIG. 5 showscircuitry for implementing a bus controller; as stated above, eachmotherboard has such a bus controller. FIG. 6 shows circuitry forimplementing communications card 3B.

Each bus controller has essentially the same construction, and, forgenerality of reference, circuitry shown in FIG. 5 is identified thereinas "BUS CONTROLLER (I)." This circuitry is connected between the systembus and row bus (I).

The system bus has 42 parallel conductors. Six of these parallelconductors are referred to as an Audio Bus which provides forpropagating signals identified as Message 1, Message 2, Message 3,Message 4, Music, and Monitor Audio. The purposes of these signals havebeen generally described above as part of the general overview of thesystem and various features it provides including automatic messagetransmission features, etc. Each row bus has six corresponding parallelconductors, and each bus controller directly connects together the AudioBus portion of the system bus and the Audio Bus portion of the row bus.This is indicated in FIG. 5 by the line labelled "Audio Bus" thatextends between the lines labelled "SYSTEM BUS" and "ROW BUS (I)."

The number of parallel conductors in the Audio Bus is indicated in FIG.5 by a slash and the number 6 next to the slash. This symbology of aslash and an adjacent number is used throughout the drawings to indicatethe number of parallel conductors that are represented as a single line.

Eight other parallel conductors of the system bus provide forpropagating a Command Word. In FIG. 5, a functional block 5A is used toindicate that eight parallel Schmitt trigger drivers are included ineach bus controller for communicating each such Command Word to thecorresponding row bus.

Eight other parallel conductors of the system bus provide forpropagating a Status Word. As indicated in FIG. 5, a tri-state busdriver 5B is included in each bus controller for selectivelycommunicating a Status Word from the corresponding row bus to the systembus.

Eight other parallel conductors of the system bus are referred to as aRow Select Bus which provides for propagating a one-out-of-eightselection signal. As indicated in FIG. 5, each bus controller has a rowaddress selector 5C comprising a group of terminal pairs with which ajumper 5D is used to configure a row address. It should be understoodthat one of these eight conductors is a spare providing for systemexpansion from the five-row matrix of cards used in the specificembodiment being described.

Four other parallel conductors of the system bus provide for propagatinga Card Select Nibble. As indicated in FIG. 5, a decoder 5E is includedin each bus controller for decoding the Card Select Nibble. Decoder 5Ehas an enable input connected to the output of an AND gate 5F. If theoutput of AND gate 5F is true, and a Card Select Nibble is applied todecoder 5E, then one of sixteen Card Select signals will be true. A CardSelect 0 signal selects a system card within a row. Each of theremaining fifteen such card select signals selects a line card within arow.

One other conductor of the system bus provides for propagating a Row BusDisable Flag produced by a retriggerable one-shot 5G in response tomanual actuation of a row service switch 5H.

One other conductor of the system bus provides for propagating a 3.579MHz Clock signal. Each bus controller has a Schmitt trigger driver 5Ifor propagating this clock signal to the corresponding conductor of therow bus.

One other conductor of the system bus provides for propagating a PromptTone signal. The Prompt Tone signal is used for the purpose, generallydescribed within the general overview of the system, of prompting aservice attendant to be prepared to service an incoming call; the PromptTone signal is automatically transmitted over an outgoing line justbefore an incoming call is extended for answer and service by theservice attendant. Suitably, the Prompt Tone signal has a frequency of400 Hz. Each bus controller has a Schmitt trigger driver 5J forpropagating this Prompt Tone signal to the corresponding conductor ofthe row bus.

One other conductor of the system bus provides for propagating a Message2 Start/Stop Strobe signal. Each bus controller has a Schmitt triggerdriver 5K for propagating this strobe signal to a correspondingconductor of the row bus.

Four other conductors of the system bus define a spare bus providing forsystem expansion.

As shown in FIG. 6, communications card 3B includes a UART (UniversalAsynchronous Receiver Transmitter) 6A having an "S In" input forreceiving serial input data (from controlling computer 3C) and having an"S Out" output for transmitting serial output data (to controllingcomputer 3C). A baud rate generator 6B and a crystal 6C tuned to 1.8432MHz cooperate to provide an input control signal to UART 6A to set itsbaud rate.

With respect to the serial input data UART 6A receives, UART 6A performsa serial-to-parallel conversion function such that each group of eightsuccessive bits of a byte are converted to parallel format and appliedto an eight-conductor signal path 6A-O. With respect to the serialoutput data UART 6A transmits, UART 6A performs a parallel-to-serialconversion function such that each eight-bit Status Word it receives inparallel from the system bus via a signal path 6A-I is converted toserial form for transmission to controlling computer 3C.

Communications card 3B further includes an 8-bit address latch 6D, an8-bit command word latch 6E, and a 3×8 decoder 6F that are arranged torespond to the parallel output of UART 6A; and further includes adivider 6G that performs a frequency dividing function in response to anoutput of generator 6B to produce the Prompt Tone at approximately 400Hz; and further includes a crystal-controlled clock source 6H forproducing the 3.579 MHz Clock. The output of decoder 6F is connected tothe row select bus conductors of the system bus. The four leastsignificant bit positions of latch 6D provide the Card Select Nibble tothe system bus. The 8-bit output of latch 6E provides the Command Wordto the system bus. The Prompt Tone and the 3.579 Mhz Clock are appliedto the system bus.

The digitally coded commands that controlling computer 3C issues tosub-system 1C are received in serial form by UART 6A. These digitallycoded commands include commands having a two-byte format, one bytedefining a card address and another byte defining a Command Word. A cardaddress byte, converted from serial to parallel by UART 6A, undergoestwo levels of decoding, one level to address a row of line cards, andanother level to address a line card within the addressed row. As to therow-addressing, the most significant nibble of the addressing byte is,after it is latched within part of address latch 6D, decoded by decoder6F so that only a selected conductor of the eight-conductor row selectbus propagates a true signal whereas the remaining conductors propagatea false signal. Because there are five rows in this embodiment, threeaddressing bits suffice to identify a row. The most significant bit of agroup of eight bits transmitted from controlling computer 3C may becoded to distinguish an address from a Command Word. If, for example,row 0 of the matrix of line cards is being addressed, Row Select 0 (FIG.5) will be true. In bus controller (0), jumper 5D connects a terminalpair of row address selector 5C such that the true condition of RowSelect 0 causes the output of AND gate 5F to become true (if the row hasnot been disabled for service via actuation of row service switch 5H).While the output of AND gate 5F is true, decoder 5E is enabled to decodethe Card Select Nibble provided by part of latch 6D (FIG. 6). If, forexample, line card 3A(0,1) is being addressed, the Card Select Nibblewill cause decoder 5E to force the Card Select 1 signal to be true, andto force the Card Select 0 signal and each of Card Select 2 through CardSelect 15 signals to be false.

The digitally coded status data that controlling computer 3C receivesfrom line connection sub-system 1C are transmitted in serial form byUART 6A. The signal flow in this direction proceeds from a row bus to atri-state bus driver 5B within the corresponding bus controller. Theoutput of AND gate 5F is applied to an enable input of tri-state busdriver 5B to perform the same kind of selection function as has beendescribed above, whereby only one row bus at a time is selected toprovide a Status Word to the system bus. UART 6A on communications card3B serializes the Status Word it receives from the system bus, andtransmits it as its serial data output to controlling computer 3C.

With reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, there will now be describedcircuitry included on another system card, viz, monitor card 3F.

Monitor card 3F defines, among other things, the interface between lineconnection sub-system 1C and supervisory station 1I; i.e., monitor phoneline 1J has one of its ends connected to monitor card 3F as shown inFIG. 7, and has its opposite end connected to supervisory station 1I.Some of the circuitry shown in FIG. 7, in particular circuitry indicatedgenerally at 7, performs functions for a supervisory connectioncontroller for cooperating with supervisory station 1I to form oppositeends of a call connection path. Other circuitry shown in FIG. 7 performsfunctions for providing status data to controlling computer 3C. Monitorcard 3F includes command-decoding circuitry (shown in FIG. 9) forproducing various logic signals, some of which cause logic andsequencing circuitry on monitor card (shown in FIG. 8) to produce otherlogic signals in a predetermined sequence.

As to the decoding circuitry depicted in FIG. 9, it includes threedecoders 9A, 9B, and 9C, and a Schmitt trigger driver 9D. The input todriver 9D is a Card Select signal received from row bus (1). Asindicated by FIGS. 2 and 3, monitor card 3F occupies the system slot ofrow 1 of sub-system 1C. When the bus controller for row 1 is enabled andits decoder 5E (FIG. 5) forces the Card Select 0 signal to be true,circuit 9D enables decoders 9A, 9B, and 9C to produce a valid decodedoutput in response to the Command Word being propagated to monitor card3F from controlling computer 3C via the system bus, Schmitt triggerdrivers 5A (FIG. 5), and row bus (1).

The circuitry depicted in FIG. 9 also includes a Schmitt trigger drivercircuit 9E and a Schmitt trigger driver circuit 9F. Circuit 9E providesfor buffering the 3.579 MHz clock. Circuit 9F provides for buffering aMessage 2 Start/Stop Strobe.

As shown in FIG. 7, circuitry 7 of the supervisory station connectioncontroller includes an incoming transient-surge suppressor 7A connectedacross monitor phone line 1J, Tip and Ring lines, and a diode bridge 7Bconnected between monitor phone line 1J and the Tip and Ring lines toensure correct polarity for DC potential of the Tip line relative to theRing line.

Circuitry 7 further includes a transformer 7C having a capacitor 7Dconnected in parallel with its primary winding, a zener diode 7E, a hookswitch simulating controllable switch 7F, which is a relay. While switch7F is closed and DC loop current flows through it, such DC loop currentflows from the Tip line, through the primary winding of transformer 7C,through zener diode 7E, through the closed switch 7F, to the Ring line.While such loop current flows, a voltage is developed across zener diode7E. A loop-current detecting circuit 7G is connected to be responsive tothe voltage developed across zener diode 7E, and includes a switchingtransistor that is on only while loop current is flowing.

Circuitry 7 further includes a ground-start simulating controllableswitch 7H that, like hook switch simulating controllable switch 7F, is arelay. Circuitry 7 further provides for sensing and detecting a ringingsignal. In particular, a ringing-signal detecting circuit 7I has itsinput AC coupled across the Tip and Ring lines, and has a switchingtransistor that is on if a ringing signal is present.

The controllable switches of circuitry 7 operate in accord with logicsignals, the values of which are determined by commands that are issuedby controlling computer 3C. One of the logic signals produced by thesequencing circuitry depicted in FIG. 8 is identified in FIG. 8 as "CTL90--Line Connect Control." This CTL 90 signal is applied as the controlinput to hook switch simulating switch 7F shown in FIG. 7, as indicatedby the reference to "CTL 90--Line Connect Control" adjacent the lineleading to switch 7F. The foregoing is in accord with a notationalconvention used generally throughout the drawings to indicate howvarious circuits on separate drawing figures are interconnected. Also,as part of the notational convention, the terms "Control," "Strobe," and"Status Bit," are used to indicate the nature of a signal. The term"Control" applies to a signal that has either a true value to es-tablisha control condition or a false value to establish an opposite controlcondition. The term "Strobe," applies to a signal having a pulse formatfor initiating or terminating an operation. The term "Status Bit"applies to a signal containing information to be provided to controllingcomputer 3C is a part of a group defining a Status Word. Further withrespect to logic signal notation, the circuitry shown throughout thedrawings uses "positive logic control." For example, a true logic levelfor the CTL 90 control signal causes the switch it controls, viz, switch7F, to close; otherwise the switch 7F is open.

In addition to the Line Connect Control signal (CTL 90) described above,a Ground Line Control signal (CTL 86) is produced by the sequencingcircuitry depicted in FIG. 8 and used to control circuitry 7. Moreparticularly, this CTL 86 signal is used to control ground startsimulating switch 7H.

A CK signal (CTL 80) is a buffered clock signal provided by driver 9E(FIG. 9), and is applied as a trigger input to each of two retriggerableone-shots 7J and 7K. One-shot 7J responds to loop-current detectingcircuit 7G to produce a Line Current Status Bit signal (STA 8). One-shot7K responds to ringing-signal detecting circuit 7I to produce a RingDetect Status signal (STA 9).

The secondary winding of transformer 7C is connected to a controllableswitch 7L that defines a controllable inter-connection means arrangedbetween the connection controller circuitry 7 and a conductor of theAudio Bus used for propagating a Monitor Audio Signal (AUD 4).Controllable switch 7L is a field effect transistor (FET); a suitablealternative is a relay. Controllable switch 7L is closed while an AudioConnect Control signal (CTL 91) is true; otherwise it is open. The logiclevel of the Audio Connect Control signal is determined by circuitrydepicted in FIG. 8 in accord with signals produced by thecommand-decoding circuitry shown in FIG. 9.

A circuit node is defined where controllable switch 7L and the secondarywinding of transformer 7C are interconnected. Four other controllableswitches 7M, 7N, 7O, and 7P are also connected to that circuit node. Inoperation of system 1A, no more than one of these four switches isclosed at any one time. During the time that a call is being placed to aremote supervisor, switch 7M is closed, and the output of a DTMFgenerator 7Q is coupled through switch 7M so as to dial a telephonenumber at which the remote supervisor can be reached. Before suchdialing commences, a sequence of operations is performed, under controlof controlling computer 3C; the sequence includes loading DTMF generator7Q with a selected telephone number, closing switch 7F to simulate anoff hook condition, operating switch 7H in accord with conventionalground start line protocol so that dial tone will be requested, and thencausing DTMF generator 7Q to output the stored telephone number for thesupervisor.

Switches 7N, 7O, and 7P provide switching control for propagating,respectively, Message 1 Audio (AUD 6), Message 2 Audio (AUD 7), andMessage 3 Audio (AUD 8). These three audio signals are used in theautomatic message transmitting feature.

A DTMF receiver 7R has its input capacitively connected to theabove-mentioned node to which the foregoing numerous switches areconnected; receiver 7R provides for detection of in-band signals used inthe operation of system 1A. A decoder 7S responds to the parallel outputsignal of receiver 7R to produce eight different strobe signals that areidentified in FIG. 7.

The circuitry depicted in FIG. 7 further includes circuitry for definingthe information content of a Status Word to be provided to controllingcomputer 3C regarding conditions of operation of monitor card 3F. Thiscircuitry includes a three-stage bus driver and multiplexer 7T, and athree-stage, four-bit latch 7U. Multiplexer 7T has an "A Enable" controlinput and a "B Enable" control input that receive, respectively, aStatus A Control signal (CTL 78) and a Status B Control signal (CTL 77).These control signals are produced by decoder 9C (FIG. 9) in response todigitally coded commands issued by controlling computer 3C. Whencontrolling computer 3C issues a digitally coded command to obtainStatus A data from monitor card 3F, decoder 9C forces the Status AControl signal (CTL 78) to be true. In response, multiplexer 7Tpropagates signals from its "A" data inputs to Bits 4-7 of the StatusWord. Its "A" inputs include Ground Return, i.e., a false logic value;the Audio Connect Control signal (CTL 91); an On-Hook Timer Status Bitsignal (STA 10); and the Line Current Status Bit signal (STA 8). Whencontrolling computer 3C issues a digitally coded command to obtainStatus B data from monitor card 3F, decoder 9C forces the Status BControl signal (CTL 77) o be true. In response, multiplexer 7Tpropagates signals from its "B" data inputs to Bits 4-7 of the StatusWord. Its "B" inputs include Ground Return; the Line Connect Controlsignal (CTL 90); and the Ring Detect Status signal (STA 9). One of the"B" inputs is a spare.

As for Bits 0-3 of a status word provided by monitor card 3F, latch 7Uhas an enable input that responds to the Status A Control signal (CTL78). When controlling computer 3C issues a digitally coded command toobtain Status A data from monitor card 3F, decoder 9C forces the StatusA Control signal (CTL 78) to be true. In response, latch 7U propagatessignals from its data inputs to Bits 0-3 of the Status Word. Its datainputs are the four parallel output signals of receiver 7R, i.e., theCTL 82, CTL 83, CTL 84, and CTL 85 signals. Latch 7U copies thesesignals whenever receiver 7R forces a DTMF Data Valid Control signal(CTL 81) to become true.

With reference to FIG. 8, the circuitry depicted therein is generallyrelated to sequencing functions, a representative example of which hasbeen generally described above concerning the sequence of operationsinvolved in going off-hook and dialing the supervisor. The circuitry ofFIG. 8 includes a busy line flip flop 8A that, like other flip flops andother bit-storing devices described below, has a Q output and a Qoutput. In the case of flip flop 8A, only the Q output is connected toother circuitry. While flip flop 8A is in its set state, its Q outputproduces a true logic level signal, and its Q output produces a falselogic level signal. While in its reset state, its Q output is false andits Q output is true. Flip flop 8A is set by a Busy Line Control signal(CTL 60), and is reset by an Un-Busy Line Control signal (CTL 59). Thesesetting and resetting signals are produced by decoder 9A (FIG. 9) inresponse to digitally coded commands issued by controlling computer 3C.The Q output of flip flop 8A is connected to one input of a two-input ORgate 8B, the output of which produces the Ground Line Control signal(CTL 86) for controlling ground start simulating switch 7H (FIG. 7).

The circuitry of FIG. 8 further includes a gate 8C that produces asignal to set a phone line flip flop 8D if an Off-Hook And Dial Controlsignal (CTL 57) is true and an On-Hook Timer Status Bit signal (STA 10)is false. The Off-Hook And Dial Control signal is produced by decoder 9A(FIG. 9) in response to digitally coded commands issued by controllingcomputer 3C. The On-Hook Timer Status Bit signal is produced by anon-hook timer circuit 8E. Phone line flip flop 8D is reset when theoutput of an OR gate 8F is true; this occurs if either an On-HookControl signal (CTL 58) or an Activate Timer End Strobe signal (STB 23)becomes true. The On-Hook Control signal is produced by the decoder 9A(FIG. 9) in response to digitally coded commands issued by controllingcomputer 3C. The Activate Timer End Strobe signal is produced by atimer-end one-shot circuit 8G.

The circuitry of FIG. 8 further includes a disconnect timer circuit 8Hthat has a trigger input and a clear input. When triggered, disconnecttimer 8H initiates a sequence of operations involved in playing amessage (message 2) to the supervisor and then terminating the callconnection path between supervisory station 1I and monitor card 3F.Message 2 in this embodiment has a duration of approximately tenseconds, and is cyclically generated. To ensure that the full message isplayed from start to finish, disconnect timer circuit 8H provides atiming interval having a maximum duration of twice the length of themessage, i.e., twenty seconds.

The trigger input of disconnect timer circuit 8H is connected to the Qoutput of flip flop 8D. A false-to-true transition in the signalproduced by the Q output of flip flop 8D, triggers disconnect timercircuit 8H to start to define its timing interval. During this timinginterval the Q output of disconnect timer 8H is true. This forces theoutput signal of an OR gate 8I to remain true; it had been true becausethe signal produced by the Q output of flip flop 8D had been true untildisconnect timer 8H was triggered. The output signal of OR gate 8I isthe Line Connect Control signal (CTL 90) that controls hook-switchsimulating switch 7F (FIG. 7). Thus, hook switch 7F con-tinues tosimulate an off-hook condition while the timing interval defined bydisconnect timer 8H is in progress. Also while the signal produced bytimer circuit 8H is true, a message 2 flip flop 8J is enabled to respondto the Message 2 Start/Stop Strobe signal (STB 13) which is applied toits toggle input. When the STB 13 strobe occurs while the signalproduced by disconnect timer 8H is true, message 2 flip flop 8J changesstate. The output signal it produces, a Message 2 Control signal (CTL89), controls switch 70 (FIG. 7) so that a Message 2 Audio signal (AUD7) is gated through by the supervisory station connection controllercircuitry 7. Thus, this CTL 89 signal becomes true only at the start ofa given cycle of message 2, and only if disconnect timer 8H hasinitiated the sequence of operations for terminating the call connectionpath between supervisory station II and monitor card 3F. Thetrue-to-false transition in the signal produced by OR gate 8I triggerson-hook timer 8E. The timing interval provided by on-hook timer 8E issuitably two seconds; this duration is sufficiently long as to preventany ambiguity with a "hook flash" type operation of a momentary on-hookcondition.

The circuitry of FIG. 8 further includes a group of sequencing circuitsarranged in tandem between phone line flip flop 8D and timer endone-shot 8G. These circuits include dial tone one-shot 8K, delayone-shot 8L, dial one-shot 8M, and activate timer 8N. The output of dialtone one-shot 8K is connected to one of the inputs of OR gate 8B. Thus,while the signal produced by one-shot 8K is true, it forces the GroundLine Control signal (CTL 86) to be true. This in turn causesground-start simulating switch 7H (FIG. 7) to close temporarily, so asto stimulate the source of dial tone to provide it before automaticdialing commences. Suitably, dial tone one-shot defines a 0.5 secondpulse for this purpose.

Delay one-shot 8L is triggered by the true-to-false transition in thepulse signal produced by dial tone one-shot 8K and defines a delayperiod sufficiently long to allow for the source of dial tone to reactand to provide the dial tone. Suitably, this delay period is one second.The true-to-false transition in the signal produced by delay one-shot 8Ltriggers dial one-shot 8M to force a DTMF Dial Control signal (CTL 87)to become true. This CTL 87 signal is coupled through diodes to R₄ andC₁ inputs of DTMF generator 7Q. These inputs in combination correspondto the "#" symbol; the parallel signals coupled through the diodesinitiate the dialing. This CTL 87 signal also controls switch 7M (FIG.7) so that the automatic telephone number dialing output signal of DTMFgenerator 7Q is gated through by the supervisory station connectioncontroller circuitry 7. Suitably, the timing interval defined by dialone-shot 8M is two seconds. This is long enough for as many astwenty-one digits to be produced as the telephone number to be dialledto reach supervisory station 1I.

The true-to-false transition in the CTL 87 signal triggers activatetimer circuit 8N to start defining a verification timing interval,preferably having a maximum duration of 30 seconds. The Q output ofactivate timer 8N produces a Message 1 Control signal (CTL 88). This CTLsignal controls switch 7N (FIG. 7) to provide for selectively gatingMessage 1 Audio (AUD 6) for transmission by the system. When ansupervisor answers the call at the called supervisory station, thetransmission of Message 1 Audio alerts the supervisor that the call hasbeen originated by the system, and provides a prompt for entry of a codedefining the security clearance signal.

Activate timer circuit 8N has a clear input that responds to a DTMFStrobe 0 Key Strobe Signal (STB 20). This strobe signal is produced bydecoder 7S (FIG. 7) in response to detection of an in-band signal byDTMF receiver 7R; this strobe signal is normally false, and defines atrue pulse if a security-clearance signal is provided. This strobesignal is also applied to a disable input of an activate abort one-shot8O which has its trigger input connected to the Q output of activatetimer circuit 8N and which produces a System Initialize Strobe signal(STB 30). If the security verification signal is provided within themaximum time allotted by timer circuit N, then the STB 20 signal clearstimer circuit 8N and at the same time disables one-shot 8O from beingtriggered. If timer circuit 8N completes timing out the maximum time itallots, then the true-to-false transition in the signal it provides onits Q output triggers one-shot 8O, thereby causing a true pulse to bedefined in the STB 30 signal. The occurrence of a true pulse in the STB30 signal, in effect, aborts this sequence of events involved in placinga call to a supervisor. It does so by resetting all timers, one-shots,and flip flops on monitor card 3F. This same resetting function issubject to software control. That is, controlling computer 3C issues acommand for monitor card 3F to perform this resetting function; thiscommand causes decoder 9A (FIG. 9) to force the System InitializationControl signal (CTL 56) true. Further as to software control,controlling computer 3C, as will be explained below, provides forcounting the number of tries to place such a call and causes automaticretries up to a maximum number of retries. The maximum number of retriescan be set as desired from supervisory computer 3D.

The circuitry of FIG. 8 further includes an AND gate 8P, an audioconnect flip flop 8Q, an OR gate 8R, and a message 3 flip flop 8S. ANDgate 8P produces a signal to control the clear input of disconnect timer8H, in response to two signals, viz, the STB 13 signal and the CTL 89signal. Audio connect flip flop 8Q has a set input that responds to anAudio On Control signal (CTL 68) produced by decoder 9B (FIG. 9) inresponse to digitally coded commands issued by controlling computer 3C.The Q output of flip flop 8Q produces the Audio Connect Control signal(CTL 91) that controls inter-connection switch 7L (FIG. 7).

As to OR gate 8R, the signal it produces is applied to the reset inputof flip flop 8Q; this signal is true if and only if any one of foursignals applied to OR gate 8R is true. One of these four signals is anAudio Off Control signal (CTL 69) that is produced by decoder 9B (FIG.9) in response to digitally coded commands issued by controllingcomputer 3C. Another of these four signals is the Message 1 Controlsignal (CTL 88) produced by activate timer 8N. Another of these foursignals is the Message 2 Control signal (CTL 89) produced by message 2flip flop 8J. Another of these four signals is the Message 3 Controlsignal (CTL 92) produced by message 3 flip flop 8S.

As to Message 3 flip flop 8S, its state is controlled by signals (CTL 61and CTL 62) that are produced by decoder 9A (FIG. 9) in response todigitally coded commands issued by controlling computer 3C. Message 3flip flop 8S produces the CTL 92 signal that controls switch 7P (FIG. 7)to provide for selectively gating Message 3 Audio (AUD 8) fortransmission by the system.

With reference to FIGS. 10-13, there will now be described circuitryincluded on audio message card 3G which occupies the system slot withinrow 2 of line connection sub-system 1C. The functions audio message card3G performs relate to generation of the four messages that system 1Aautomatically transmits at selected times. (Three of these messagesapply equally to a supervisor or to any attendant; one of them appliesspecifically to an attendant at the end of a shift.) To perform thesefunctions, audio message card 3G cooperates with controlling computer 3Cvia row bus (2), the system bus, and communications card 3B to receivedigitally coded commands and to provide status data. The circuitry onaudio message card 3G for decoding digitally coded commands is shown inFIG. 12. The circuitry on audio message card 3G for applying status datato the status bus is shown in FIG. 13.

Three of the messages that system 1A automatically generates andtransmits are generated by three identical circuit arrangements. FIG. 10shows such a circuit arrangement, and sets out references in generalterms such as "Channel i." It should be understood that this circuitarrangement is replicated three times such that there are in thepreferred embodiment a Channel 1, a Channel 2, and a Channel 3. Anothermessage, viz, Message 4, is generated by a circuit arrangement, shown inFIG. 11, that, in most respects except those specifically described, isidentical to the circuit arrangement of FIG. 10.

The circuitry shown in FIG. 10 includes an audio connect flip flop 10A,a switch 10B controlled by flip flop 10A, and a speech processor 10C. Inthe preferred embodiment, speech processor 10C is an OKI 6258 SolidState Recorder Speech Processor integrated circuit chip. It handlesanalog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion, and operates incooperation with a crystal 10D, tuned to 4 MHz in this embodiment. Ithas numerous outputs, including a "DA OUT" output and a "V Clock" outputwhich are connected to a low pass filter 10E. A buffer amplifier isconnected between the output of low pass filter 10E and switch 10B.

Another output of speech processor 10C is "Play Mon"; the signal that itproduces is a Play-Back Status Bit. This signal is buffered and appliedto an LED 10F. This and two other LED's shown in FIG. 10 are mounted onthe audio message card 3G so as to provide an indication to maintenancepersonnel for use in servicing the system. Another output of speechprocessor 10C is "Rec Mon"; the signal it produces is a Record StatusBit. Another output is "OVF(FST)"; the signal it produces is an OverloadStatus Bit.

Another set of outputs of speech processor 10C are connected to a19-conductor address bus used to propagate addressing signals to amessage memory array generally indicated at 10G. Eight ROM chips arearranged in parallel to define this message memory array. One at a timeof these eight ROM chips is selected by a one-out-of-eight select signalproduced by a decoder 10H. The selected ROM chip responds to theaddressing signal provided by speech processor 10C to apply an eight bitbyte to a data bus connecting the output to the ROM chips to a datainput of speech processor 10C.

Decoder 10H decodes a three-bit wide signal produced by a latch 10I. Theinput signals applied to latch 10I are three parallel bits supplied aspart of a command word issued by controlling computer 3C, and a controlsignal for latch control which is produced by command-decoding circuitryshown in FIG. 12.

Speech processor 10C receives three control signals directly from thecommand-decoding circuitry of FIG. 12; these are an All Clear Controlsignal, a Flag Reset Control signal, and a Pause Control signal. Speechprocessor 10C receives another control signal from the output of an ORgate 10J which responds to a Start/Stop Control signal and a RestartStrobe signal. The Start/Stop Control signal is produced by thecommand-decoding circuitry shown in FIG. 12. The Restart Strobe signalis produced by a one-shot 10K that is triggered by a signal produced byone-shot 10L.

As stated above, the circuitry shown in FIG. 10 represents one of threecircuit arrangements having identical construction for handling arespective one of three messages the system automatically generates andtransmits. The following cross-reference table provides informationabout how the command-decoding circuitry of FIG. 12 is interconnected tothese three circuit arrangements, which are referred to in the table asChannel 1, Channel 2, and Channel 3.

    ______________________________________                                        Cross-Reference Table Regarding                                               Channel 1, Channel 2, and Channel 3 Signals                                   Signal           Channel   CTL or STB No.                                     ______________________________________                                        Audio Connect Control                                                                          1         CTL 98                                               "              2         CTL 106                                              "              3         CTL 114                                            Audio Disconnect Control                                                                       1         CTL 99                                               "              2         CTL 107                                              "              3         CTL 115                                            All Clear Control                                                                              1         CTL 94                                               "              2         CTL 102                                              "              3         CTL 110                                            Flag Reset Control                                                                             1         CTL 95                                               "              2         CTL 103                                              "              3         CTL 111                                            Pause Control    1         CTL 96                                               "              2         CTL 104                                              "              3         CTL 112                                            Start/Stop Control                                                                             1         CTL 97                                               "              2         CTL 105                                              "              3         CTL 113                                            Restart Strobe   1         STB 24                                               "              2         STB 25                                               "              3         STB 27                                             Latch Control    1         CTL 130                                              "              2         CTL 131                                              "              3         CTL 132                                            ROM 0 Select Control                                                                           1         CTL 134                                              "              2         CTL 145                                               "             3         CTL 156                                            ROM 1 Select Control                                                                           1         CTL 135                                              "              2         CTL 146                                              "              3         CTL 157                                            ROM 2 Select Control                                                                           1         CTL 136                                              "              2         CTL 147                                              "              3         CTL 158                                            ROM 3 Select Control                                                                           1         CTL 137                                              "              2         CTL 148                                              "              3         CTL 159                                            ROM 4 Select Control                                                                           1         CTL 138                                                             2         CTL 149                                              "              3         CTL 160                                            ROM 5 Select Control                                                                           1         CTL 139                                              "              2         CTL 150                                              "              3         CTL 161                                            ROM 6 Select Control                                                                           1         CTL 140                                              "              2         CTL 151                                              "              3         CTL 162                                            ROM 7 Select Control                                                                           1         CTL 141                                              "              2         CTL 152                                              "              3         CTL 163                                            Message Audio    1         AUD 6                                                "              2         AUD 7                                                "              3         AUD 8                                              Start/Stop Strobe                                                                              1         STB 23                                               "              2         STB 13                                               "              3         STB 26                                             Restart Strobe   1         STB 24                                               "              2         STB 25                                                "             3         STB 27                                             Play Back Status Bit                                                                           1         STA 11                                               "              2         STA 14                                               "              3         STA 17                                             Record Status Bit                                                                              1         STA 12                                               "              2         STA 15                                               "              3         STA 18                                             Overload Status Bit                                                                            1         STA 13                                               "              2         STA 16                                               "              3         STA 19                                             Memory Select Control Bit 0                                                                    1         CTL 142                                              "              2         CTL 153                                              "              3         CTL 164                                            Memory Select Control Bit 1                                                                    1         CTL 143                                              "              2         CTL 154                                              "              3         CTL 165                                            Memory Select Control Bit 2                                                                    1         CTL 144                                              "              2         CTL 155                                              "              3         CTL 166                                            ______________________________________                                    

As to the fourth kind of message that the system automatically generatesand transmits, reference is made to FIG. 11. The reference numbers usedin FIG. 11 are correlated with those used in FIG. 10 so as to indicatecircuit elements that are identical. For example, audio connect flipflop 11A (FIG. 11) has the same construction and operation as audioconnect flip flop 10A (FIG. 10).

The circuitry of FIG. 11 differs from that of FIG. 10 in the followingrespects. First, message memory array 11G includes a RAM; i.e., it iswritten into as well as read from during normal operation of the systemin contrast to the all-ROM configuration of message memory array 10G(FIG. 10). Second, additional outputs of speech processor 11C are usedin the circuit arrangement of FIG. 11; these are the CAS and RAS outputsthat are connected to corresponding inputs of a four megabyte RAM chip11M of message memory array 11G. Third, three of the inputs in speechprocessor 11C, viz, the CA1, CA2, and CA3 inputs, are connecteddifferently. In particular, the CA1 input is connected to the Q₂ outputof latch 11I (this being the most significant bit of the three bitpositions of the latch); the CA2 input is connected to the output of anAND gate 11N, and the CA3 input is connected to the output of an ANDgate 110. AND gate 11N has two inputs, one connected to the mostsignificant of these three bit positions (Q₂), and the other connectedto the next most significant bit position (Q₁). AND gate 110 has twoinputs, one connected to the most significant of these bit positions(Q₂), and the other connected to the least significant bit position(Q₀). The remaining differences involve additional circuits forswitchably applying an audio signal to speech processor 11C so that suchaudio signal can be digitized and stored in the message memory array11G. The additional circuits are an audio connect flip flop 11P, aswitch 11Q controlled by flip flop 11P, a buffer amplifier 11R throughwhich the audio signal propagates to switch 11Q and, while switch 11Q isclosed, through a low pass filter 11S to an input of speech processor11C.

With reference to FIG. 12, the command-decoding circuitry for audiomonitor card includes four decoder circuits 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D, eachof which is enabled by a pair of enabling signals to decode Bits 0-3 ofthe command word received via the command word bus portion of the systembus. One of the enabling signals is produced by a Schmitt trigger drivercircuit 12E that responds to the Card Select signal. Another decodingcircuit 12F provides four enabling signals, one for each decoder12A-12D. Decoder 12F, while enabled by the Card Select signal, decodesBits 4-6 of the command word.

With reference to FIG. 13, the circuitry shown therein provides forcommunicating status data from audio message card 3G to the status busso that the status data can propagate to controlling computer 3C. Thiscircuitry includes four tri-state bus drivers 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D.

Having completed the description of the construction of the variouscircuit arrangements of the three system cards, there will now bedescribed, with reference to FIGS. 14-22, the construction of a linecard. As stated above, this specific embodiment of the present inventionhas 75 line cards, every one of which has the same construction. Thismodular arrangement is advantageous in numerous respects, particularlyfor flexibility in configuring a system. Any one of the line cards canbe removed from the rack that houses line connection sub-system 1C, formaintenance or the like without necessitating a system shut down.Further, the modular arrangement is advantageous with respect to systemexpansion; as indicated above, a variety of provisions have been made tofacilitate any such system expansion. This modular architecture isfurther advantageous in that each line card defines a module having itsown hardware sequencing circuitry such that a sufficient number ofsequencing functions are controlled at the line card level to providefor autonomous operation of call extending operations. Thus, even if apower failure or other untoward event interrupts the operation ofcontrolling computer 3C during a peak period of incoming traffic, eachline card can continue to operate to extend a sequence of incomingcalls.

To provide an introduction to the construction of a line card, therewill now be described the functional block diagram of FIG. 14. The Tipand Ring lines of an incoming phone line are connected to an incomingline connection controller 14A. To ensure a sufficient power level foraudio signals propagated by the phone lines, each such incoming phoneline is suitably connected to the output of a conventional voicefrequency repeater VFR (not shown).

FIG. 14 also shows the Tip and Ring lines of an outgoing phone line andan outgoing line connection controller 14B that is connected to theoutgoing phone line. An audio selector inter-connection switch 14C isarranged between controllers 14A and 14B. (Circuitry for line connectioncontrollers 14A and 14B and circuitry for inter-connection switch 14Care shown in FIG. 15.)

Switch 14C is connected to a row bus interface which includes an audiointerface 14D, a decoder for commands and special function inputs 14E,and a tri-state bus driver 14F. (Circuitry for audio interface 14D isshown in FIG. 16. Command-decoding circuitry 14E is shown in FIG. 21.Tri-state bus driver circuitry 14F for providing status data is shown inFIG. 22.)

FIG. 14 indicates, beneath the row bus interface, lines labeled "AudioI/O" and "Digital I/O For Command And Status" which connect to the rowbus. FIG. 14 shows, above the row bus interface, lines connecting therow bus interface to each of the remaining functional blocks of the linecard. These include, in addition to blocks 14A-14C mentioned above, atraffic mode controller 14G, a DTMF number generator and register 14H,an in-band signal decoder and source discriminator 14I, and a broadcastmode controller 14J. (Circuitry that performs functions of traffic modecontroller 14G is shown in FIG. 19. Circuitry for DTMF generation anddecoding is shown in FIG. 20.)

With reference to FIG. 15, there will now be described circuitry forimplementing connection controllers 14A and 14B and inter-connectionswitch 14C. Circuitry generally indicated at 14A in FIG. 15 performsfunctions for a station connection controller for cooperating with anoriginating station to form opposite ends of a call connection path.This circuitry is implemented by the same components arranged in thesame way as the circuitry for supervisory station connection controller7 (FIG. 7). Circuitry generally indicated at 14B in FIG. 15 performsfunctions for a station connection controller for cooperating with amulti-purpose station to form opposite ends of a call connection path.This circuitry is also implemented by the same components arranged inthe same way as the circuitry for the above-mentioned station connectioncontrollers. Inter-connection switch 14C is implemented by a FET switchjust as switch 7L (FIG. 7) is, within monitor card 3F.

As to controller 14A, it includes controllable switches and circuitryfor producing signals representing conditions of operation of controller14A. The controllable switches are an incoming line ground-startsimulating switch 15A, and an incoming line hook-switch simulatingswitch 15B. The circuitry of controller 14A for producing thecondition-representing signals includes a one-shot 15C, and tworetriggerable one-shots 15D and 15E. One-shot 15D produces an IncomingLine Current Status Bit signal (STA 2), and is responsive to a currentdetect circuit that is connected in the same way that circuit 7G (FIG.7) is connected within the supervisory station connection controller 7.Thus, the STA 2 status bit signal it produces is true while oppositeends of a call connection path are completed; in other words, anoriginating party is off-hook and hook switch simulating switch 15B issimulating an off-hook condition. One-shot 15E produces an Incoming LineRing Detect Status Bit signal (STA 3). One-shot 15E is responsive to aring detect circuit that is connected in the same way that circuit 7I(FIG. 7) is connected within the supervisory station connectioncontroller 7. Thus, the STA 3 status bit signal it produces is truewhile a ring signal is being detected. One-shot 15C produces an IncomingLine Current Termination Strobe signal (STB 0), and is triggered by theSTA 2 status bit signal produced by one-shot 15D.

As to the controller 14B, it includes controllable switches andcircuitry for producing signals representing conditions of operation ofcontroller 14B. The controllable switches are an outgoing linehook-switch simulating switch 15F, and an outgoing line ground-startsimulating switch 15G. The circuitry of controller 14B for producing thecondition-representing signals includes two retriggerable one-shots 15Hand 15I. One-shot 15H produces an Outgoing Line Ring Detect Status Bitsignal (STA 0), and is responsive to a ring detect circuit that isconnected in the same way that circuit 7I (FIG. 7) is connected withinthe supervisory station connection controller 7. Thus, the STA 0 statusbit signal it produces is true while a ring signal is being detected.One-shot 15I produces an Outgoing Line Current Status Bit signal (STA1), and is responsive to a current detect circuit that is connected inthe same way that circuit 7G (FIG. 7) is connected within thesupervisory station connection controller 7. Thus, the STA 1 status bitsignal it produces is true while opposite ends of a call connection pathare completed; in other words, a called party such as an attendant isoff-hook and hook switch simulating switch 15B is simulating an off-hookcondition.

As to inter-connection switch 14C, it is connected between controller14A and 14B. One end of switch 14C is also connected to a conductor usedto propagate an Incoming Line Audio signal (AUD 1). The opposite end ofswitch 14C is connected to a conductor used to propagate an OutgoingLine Audio signal (AUD 0).

With reference to FIG. 16, there will now be described circuitry forimplementing an audio interface incorporating audio selection switches.This circuitry includes eleven controllable switches 16A-16K, each ofwhich is preferably implemented by a FET. Each of switches 16A-16C hasone end connected to the conductor used to propagate the Incoming LineAudio signal (AUD 1). As indicated by the arrangement of controllableswitches 16A-16C, the Incoming Line Audio signal (AUD 1) can be any oneof three signals depending upon which one, if any, of switches 16A-16Cis closed. The Incoming Line Audio signal (AUD 1) will be the Message 4Audio signal (AUD 9) if switch 16A is closed; the Music Audio signal(AUD 5) if switch 16B is closed; the Monitor Audio signal (AUD 4) ifswitch 16C is closed.

Each of switches 16D-16K has one end connected to the conductor used topropagate the Outgoing Line Audio signal (AUD 0). As indicated by thearrangement of controllable switches 16D-16K, the Outgoing Line Audiosignal (AUD 0) can be any one of eight signals depending upon which one,if any, of switches 16D-16K is closed. The Outgoing Line Audio signal(AUD 0) will be the Monitor Audio signal (AUD 4) if switch 16D isclosed; the Music Audio signal (AUD 5) if switch 16E is closed; theMessage 4 Audio signal (AUD 9) if switch 16F is closed; the Message 3Audio signal (AUD 8) if switch 16G is closed; the Message 2 Audio signal(AUD 7) if switch 16H is closed; the Message 1 Audio signal (AUD 6) ifswitch 16I is closed; the Prompt Tone Audio (AUD 3) if switch 16J isclosed; the DTMF Dial Audio signal (AUD 2) if switch 16K is closed.

Resistors are indicated in FIG. 16 in series with individualcontrollable switches; these resistors provide for individuallyadjusting the sound level of each of the various audio signals and,therefore, implement the audio interface function indicated in block 14D(FIG. 14).

With reference to FIG. 17, there will now be described circuitry forcontrolling the audio selection switches. This circuitry includes amonitor flip flop 17A and a monitor side flip flop 17B, which performfunctions involved in selectively propagating audio signals between theparticular line card and supervisory station 11. Flip flop 17A producesthe Monitor Status signal (STA 6). An audio connect flip flop 17Cproduces the Audio Connect Control signal (CTL 44) that controlsinter-connection switch 14C. Audio connect flip flop 17C is set by asignal produced by an OR gate 17D and is reset by a signal produced byan OR gate 17E.

A message 4 flip flop 17F produces a signal that is switched through anoption switch 17G. Depending upon the setting of 17G, one of two signalsis maintained at the false logical level by virtue of a resistor and theother of the two signals is the same as the signal produced by Message 4flip flop 17F. One of these two signals is an Outgoing Line Message 4Control signal (CTL 45) that controls switch 16F (FIG. 16). The other ofthese two signals is an Incoming Line Message 4 Control signal (CTL 46)that controls switch 16A FIG. 16).

A message 3 flip flop 17H is set by a signal produced by an OR gate 17I,and is reset by a signal produced by an OR gate 17J, and produces aMessage 3 Control signal (CTL 47) which, when true, causes switch 16G(FIG. 16) to close to propagate the Message 3 Audio signal (AUD 8) asthe Outgoing Line Audio signal (AUD 0). To provide an option whether,when a caller hangs up, to play message 3 audio to the attendant, anoption jumper controls whether the STB 0 signal, which is produced byone-shot 15E (FIG. 15), is applied to OR gate 17I so as to set message 3flip flop 17H when incoming line current has terminated. The CTL 47signal is also applied to one of the inputs of a NOR gate 17K. Thesignal NOR gate 17K produces is an Outgoing Line Music Control signal(CTL 40). It is true if and only if every one of the signals applied toits inputs is false. Thus, while the CTL 47 signal is true, therebycausing the Message 3 audio signal to be propagated, the CTL 40 signalis false. While the CTL 40 signal is false, switch 16E (FIG. 16) isopen, preventing music audio from being propagated as the Outgoing LineAudio signal. In effect, the Music Audio signal constitutes the defaultOutgoing Line Audio signal. This is so because if none of the otherpossible audio signals have been selected, whereby every input signal toNOR gate 17K is false, then the Music Audio signal propagates as theOutgoing Line Audio signal.

The control circuitry of FIG. 17 further includes AND gates 17L and 17M,and a NOR gate 17N. The input signals for AND gate 17L are supplied bythe Q output of flip flop 17A and the Q output of flip flop 17B. Thesignal AND gate 17L produces is an Outgoing Line Monitor Control signal(CTL 41) which, while true, causes switch 16D (FIG. 16) to close toenable the supervisor to confer with a service attendant whosemulti-purpose station is connected to the line card outgoing line.

The input signals for AND gate 17M are supplied by the Q output of flipflop 17A and the Q output of flip flop 17B. The signal AND gate 17Mproduces is an Incoming Line Monitor Control signal (CTL 42) which,while true, causes switch 16C (FIG. 16) to close to enable thesuper-visor to confer with a calling party whose originating station isconnected to the line card incoming line. The CTL 42 signal is alsoapplied as one of the input signals to NOR gate 17N. The signal NOR gate17N produces is an Incoming Line Music Control signal (CTL 43). It istrue if and only if every one of the signals applied to its inputs isfalse. Thus, while the CTL 42 signal is true, thereby causing aninter-connection whereby the supervisor can confer with a calling party,the CTL 43 signal is false. While the CTL 43 signal is false, switch 16B(FIG. 16) is open, thereby preventing music audio from being propagatedas the incoming line audio signal. In effect, the music audio signalconstitutes the default incoming line audio signal. This is so for thesame reasons set forth above with respect to the outgoing line audiosignal.

With reference to FIG. 18, there will now be described some of thesequencing circuitry provided on each line card. A number of thecircuits shown in FIG. 18 have the same construction and operation ascircuits described above with reference to FIG. 8 concerning sequencingcircuitry for the monitor card 3F. For example, a dial tone one-shot 18K(FIG. 18) has the same construction and operation as one-shot 8K (FIG.8). Similar reference numbers are used in FIG. 8 and FIG. 18 for othersuch similar circuits (18E, 18G, 18H, 18I, 18J, 18L, 18M, 18N, and 18O).As to on-hook timer 18E, like on-hook timer 8E, the signal it producesis an On-Hook Timer Status Bit (STA 5 in the case of on-hook timer 18E).In addition, this signal is also referred to as an On-Hook Strobe signal(STB 2).

The sequencing circuitry of FIG. 18 further includes an off-hook flipflop 18R and an on-hook flip flop 18S. Flip flops 18R and 18S providefor keeping track of the pendency of decoded commands, until sequencesof operation for these commands have been executed. At the end of asequence to disconnect an attendant, on-hook timer 18E forces the STB 2signal true temporarily, and this resets on-hook flip flop 18S. Whentimer end one-shot 18G forces the STB 1 signal true temporarily, thisresets off-hook flip flop 18R. The sequencing circuitry of FIG. 18further includes an outgoing line connect flip flop 18T. Flip flop 18 isset by a signal produced by an OR gate 18U, and is reset by a signalproduced by an OR gate 18V. One of the signals supplied as an input toOR gate 18V is produced by a NOR gate 18W. The arrangement of flip flop18S, NOR gate 18W, and OR gate 18V defines the conditions under whichflip flop 18T will be reset. With respect to the setting of flip flop18T, the circuitry which defines the conditions for setting it are ORgate 18U, an OR gate 18X, a NOR gate 18Y, and flip flop 18R.

When flip flop 18T changes state from its reset state to its set state,this initiates a sequence of timing operations in automatically placingan outgoing call to a multi-purpose station, and verifying that theperson who answers the call at the multi-purpose station is authorizedto be a service attendant. The details of this sequence are describedbelow as part of a description of operation in response to a digitallycoded command issued by controlling computer 3C. Briefly, during thissequence, an Outgoing Line Ground Control signal (CTL 51), produced bydial tone one-shot 18K, is temporarily forced true, and this causesground start simulating switch 15G to close temporarily. Also duringthis sequence, an Outgoing Line Connect Control signal (CTL 55),produced by OR gate 18I, is forced true, and this causes hook switchsimulating switch 15F (FIG. 15) to close. With switch 15F closed, andswitch 15G temporarily closed, dial tone will appear on the outgoingline. Then, automatic dialing can proceed. Also during this sequence,dial one-shot 18M temporarily forces true the DTMF Dial Control signal(CTL 52). While the CTL 52 signal is true, switch 16K (FIG. 16) isclosed and propagates the DTMF Dial Audio signal (AUD 2) as the OutgoingLine Audio signal (AUD 0).

With reference to FIG. 19, there will now be described circuitry thatperforms functions of traffic mode controller 14G. This circuitryincludes an incoming line hardware busy flip flop 19A, the Q output ofwhich is connected to an input of an OR gate 19B. An incoming linesoftware busy flip flop 19C has its Q output connected to another inputof OR gate 19B. If either hardware-busy flip flop 19A or software-busyflip flop 19C is in its set state, then OR gate 19B forces an IncomingLine Busy Control signal (CTL 48) true. The Incoming Line Busy Controlsignal (CTL 48) controls ground start simulating switch 15A (FIG. 15).An invertor 19D responds to the CTL 48 signal and produces an IncomingLine Active Status Bit signal (STA 4). As to the setting ofhardware-busy flip flop 19A, this is controlled by the Incoming LineCurrent Termination Strobe signal (STB 0) that is produced by one-shot15C (FIG. 15). As to the resetting of flip flop 19A, this is controlledby a signal produced by an OR gate 19E.

A prompt tone one-shot 19F produces a Prompt Tone Control signal (CTL49) on its Q output. This CTL 49 signal controls switch 16J (FIG. 16),and is one of the signals that, as shown in FIG. 17, is applied to ORgate 17E to reset audio connect flip flop 17C. The Q output of one-shot19F produces a signal that triggers an end tone one-shot 19G. A PromptTone End Strobe signal (STB 4) is produced by one-shot 19G; it is one ofthe signals that is applied to OR gate 17D (FIG. 17) to provide forsetting audio connect flip flop 17C. The STB 4 signal is also applied toa set input of an incoming line connect flip flop 19H that produces anIncoming Line Connect Control signal (CTL 50). The CTL 50 signalcontrols hook-switch simulating switch 15B (FIG. 15). The reset input offlip flop 19H receives a signal produced by an OR gate 19I. One of thesignals applied to OR gate 19I is the Incoming Line Current TerminationStrobe signal (STB 0), which is produced by one-shot 15C (FIG. 15).Thus, when a caller hangs up, flip flop 19H is reset.

The attendant remains on the line by keeping the multi-purpose stationoff-hook between incoming calls. To alert the attendant who is stayingon line that another call is ready to be extended to the attendant'smulti-purpose station, the prompt tone is propagated out via theoutgoing line before inter-connection switch 14C is closed.

In accord with a particularly preferred feature, each line card iscontrolled to operate in a traffic dependent modes of operation. Whenthe length of time between incoming calls exceeds the maximum waitinginterval for that particular line card, as set by the supervisor, theline card is commanded so as to disconnect the multi-purpose station. Assoon as the next call is detected, the multi-purpose station isre-established as a network station as part of the sequence ofoperations for responding to an incoming call.

A standby status flip flop 19J produces a signal that is applied to adisable input of prompt tone one-shot 19F. An AND gate 19K produces asignal that is applied to a trigger input of prompt tone one-shot 19F.The signals applied to AND gate 19K are the Outgoing Line Current StatusBit (STA 1) and the Incoming Line Ring Detect signal (STA 3) is true.The STA 1 signal is produced by one shot 15I (FIG. 15), and is truewhile a call connection path is completed at both ends between thesystem and the multi-purpose station (i.e., the attendant is on line).The STA 3 signal is produced by one-shot 15E (FIG. 15), and becomes truewhen a ring signal is detected, thereby indicating an incoming callneeds service.

While standby status flip flop 19J is in its set state, prompt tone flipflop 19F is disabled from responding to the signal applied to itstrigger input. The set input of standby status flip flop 19J isconnected to the output of a gate 19L. The signal that gate 19L producesis true while the STA 1 signal is false and the STA 3 signal is true. Inaddition to the role the STA 3 signal plays in disabling prompt toneone-shot 19J, the STA 3 signal is, as shown in FIG. 18, one of thesignals applied to OR gate 18X. When the STA 3 signal is forced true bydetection of the ringing signal, this sets outgoing line connect flipflop 18T, and thereby initiates a timing sequence to call the attendant.

While standby status flip flop 19J is in its reset state, one-shot 19Fis not disabled, and it responds to the trigger signal produced by ANDgate 19K. When one-shot 19F responds to the trigger signal, it producesa pulse in the Prompt Tone Control signal (CTL 49). This causes switch16J (FIG. 16) to close temporarily so that the Prompt Tone Audio signal(AUD 3) propagates as the Outgoing Line Audio signal (AUD 0). This alsotemporarily forces NOR gate 17K (FIG. 17) to produce a false logic levelin the Outgoing Line Music Control signal to prevent music from beingpropagated out over the outgoing line.

With reference to FIG. 20, there will now be described line cardcircuitry for DTMF number generation and for in-band signal decoding.This circuitry forms part of the circuitry of functional block 14I (FIG.14), and includes a decoder 20A, a DTMF generator 20B, and a DTMFreceiver 20C. DTMF generator 20B stores a selected telephone number usedin placing a call to a multi-purpose station. DTMF receiver 20C providesfor receiving and decoding in-band signals for security and otherpurposes. DTMF receiver 20C receives the Outgoing Line Audio signal (AUD0), and produces a signal on a data valid output when it detects thepresence of a touch tone pair constituting an in-band signal. Thisoutput signal is applied to a gate 20D that produces a DTMF Data ValidControl signal (CTL 35) to control an enable input of decoder 20A. Gate20D also responds to an Internal DTMF Mute Control signal (CTL 33) thatis produced by an AND gate 20E. The CTL 33 signal is one of the signalsprovided to OR gate 17E (FIG. 17) to cause audio connect flip flop 17Cto reset. While the CTL 33 signal is false, and valid data is beingproduced by receiver 20C, gate 20D enables decoder 20A to decode afour-bit parallel coded signal produced by receiver 20C. The individualsignals forming this coded signal are a DTMF Bus Bit 3 signal (CTL 36);a DTMF Bus Bit 2 signal (CTL 37); a DTMF Bus Bit 1 signal (CTL 38); anda DTMF Bus Bit 0 signal (CTL 39). Decoder 20A produces the followingsignals: a DTMF D Key Strobe (STB 5); a DTMF 1 Key Strobe (STB 6); aDTMF 2 Key Strobe (STB 7); a DTMF 3 Key Strobe (STB 8); a DTMF 8 KeyStrobe (STB 9); a DTMF 9 Key Strobe (STB 10); a DTMF 0 Key Strobe (STB11); AND a DTMF * Key Strobe (STB 12). The "D" key is provided on somespecial 4-column touch tone keypads. The STB 5 signal relates to thiskey; it is provided for future expansion and is not used in system 1A.

The STB 6 strobe signal is one of the signals provided to OR gate 17I(FIG. 17) to cause message 3 flip flop 17H to set. The STB 7 strobesignal is one of the signals provided to OR gate 17E (FIG. 16) to causeaudio connect flip flop 17F to reset. The STB 8 strobe signal and theSTB 10 signal are among the signals provided to OR gate 17D (FIG. 17) tocause audio connect flip flop 17F to set. The STB 9 strobe signal is oneof the signals provided to OR gate 18V (FIG. 18) to cause outgoing lineconnect flip flop 18T to reset. The STB 11 strobe signal is provided tonumerous circuits. As to circuitry shown in FIG. 19, the STB 11 strobesignal is one of the signals provided to OR gate 19I (FIG. 19) to resetincoming line flip flop 19H; it is provided to the reset input ofstandby status flip flop 19J; and it is one of the signals provided toOR gate 19E to reset hardware-busy flip flop 19A. As to circuitry shownin FIG. 18, the STB 11 strobe signal is applied to the clear input ofactivate timer 18N and to the disable input of activate abort one-shot18O. As to circuitry shown in FIG. 17, the STB 11 strobe signal is oneof the signals provided to OR gate 17J to cause message 3 flip flop toreset.

The circuitry shown in FIG. 20 further includes a retriggerable one-shot20F that produces an External DTMF Mute Control signal (CTL 34).One-shot 20F is clock triggered under control of signals provided by theESt output of receiver 20C and by a delay one-shot 20G. One-shot 20F isdisabled from responding to clock triggering while the signal producedby one-shot 20G is true. If, after the signal produced by one-shot 20Greturns false, the signal produced by the ESt output of receiver 20Cremains true, then one-shot 20F responds to the clock trigger to forcethe CTL 34 signal true. The CTL 34 signal is one of the signals providedto OR gate 17E to cause audio connect flip flop 17C to reset. Suchresetting of flip flop 17C is part of an operation to provide sourcediscrimination. More particularly, when a false-to-true transitionoccurs in a signal produced by DTMF receiver 20C, thereby indicatingthat an in-band signal is present in the AUD 0 signal, it is initiallyambiguous whether the source of this in-band signal is a multi-purposestation or an originating station. However, because of the operation ofone-shots 20G and 20F in response to receiver 20C, and because of theresulting operation of resetting of audio connect flip flop 17C,inter-connection switch 14C opens. Continued detection of the in-bandsignal after switch 14C opens cannot be attributed to an originatingstation.

The circuitry shown in FIG. 20 further includes a DTMF Test Mode flipflop 20H, and an OR gate 20I. The Q output of flip flop 20H produces asignal that is provided to AND gate 20E. AND gate 20E produces theInternal Mute Control signal (CTL 33), and causes it to be true if boththe signal it receives from flip flop 20H and a signal it receives froma Mute output of generator 20B are true. The dialing tone-pair signalsproduced by DTMF generator 20B for the purpose of placing a call to amulti-purpose station via an outgoing line cannot inadvertently bepropagated out via an incoming line. This is so because the CTL 33signal, when true, causes audio connect flip flop 17C to reset, therebyopening inter-connection switch 14C.

One of the advantageous features resulting from the in-band signaldecoding is that an attendant can cause an incoming call to bedisconnected while the attendant remains on line to the system. When theattendant taps the "0" key on the touch tone pad, the resulting in-bandsignal is decoded by DTMF receiver 20C and decoder 20A to force the STB11 signal true. This causes flip flop 19H (FIG. 19) to reset, which inturn causes incoming line hook switch 15B to open so as to disconnectthe incoming call.

With reference to FIG. 21, there will now be described command-decodingcircuitry of a line card. This command-decoding circuitry includes fourdecoder circuits 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D, each of which is enabled by apair of enabling signals to decode Bits 0-3 of the command word receivedvia the command word bus portion of the row bus for the row in which theline card is used. One of the enabling signals is produced by a Schmitttrigger driver circuit 21E that responds to the Card Select signal.

The circuitry shown in FIG. 21 further includes three Schmitt triggerdriver circuits 21F, 21G, and 21H, and a capacitor 21I. Circuit 21Fprovides buffering of the clock signal for the line card; its outputsignal is the CK signal (CTL 32). Circuit 21G provides buffering of theMessage 2 Start/Stop Strobe signal for the line card; its output signalis the Message 2 Start/Stop Strobe signal (STB 13). Circuit 21H providesbuffering of the Prompt Tone signal for the line card, and capacitor 21Iprovides DC isolation for the Prompt Tone signal (AUD 3).

With reference to FIG. 22, there will now be described circuitry forproviding status data from the line card to the row bus. This circuitryincludes a four-bit latch and tri-state bus driver 22A, a tri-state busdriver and multiplexer 22B, and a gate 22C. Driver 22A and multiplexer22B are arranged and operate in almost the same way as latch 7U andmultiplexer 7T (FIG. 7) are arranged and operate to provide status datafrom monitor card 3F. Multiplexer 22B has an "A Enable" control inputand a "B Enable" control input that receive, respectively, a Status AControl signal (CTL 22) and a Status B Control signal (CTL 4). Thesecontrol signals are produced by decoders 21C and 21A (FIG. 21) inresponse to digitally coded commands issued by controlling computer 3C,as explained more fully below.

There will now be described the manner in which the above-describedcircuitry of a line card responds to various digitally coded commandsissued by controlling computer 3C. As stated above, each such digitallycoded command has a two byte format, one byte for addressing a card, andanother byte defining a Command Word. Controlling computer 3C sendsdigitally coded commands in serial form to UART 6A in communicationscard 3B. The Command Word is latched into latch 6E, applied to thesystem bus, and applied to every row bus by its corresponding buscontroller. The addressing byte is latched into latch 6D, then decodedto select a row and a line card within a row, with the result that aCard Select signal (FIGS. 5 and 21) for the addressed line card will beforced true. Driver 21E (FIG. 21) of the addressed line card enablesdecoders 21A-21D to decode the Command Word received from the row bus.

Each of decoders 21A-21D has eight outputs, some of which provide sparesfor system expansion.

As to the outputs of decoder 21A that are used in system 1A, one ofthese produces a Message 4 On Control signal (CTL 0). When controllingcomputer 3C issues a digital command to force the CTL 0 signal true,this results in setting message 4 flip flop 17F. Depending upon theposition of option switch 17G, this results in either the Outgoing LineMessage 4 Control signal (CTL 45) or the Incoming Line Message 4 Controlsignal (CTL 46) being forced true. If the CTL 45 signal is true, thenswitch 16F closes, so that the Message 4 Audio signal is gated throughto the outgoing line. If the CTL 46 signal is true, then switch 16Acloses, so that the Message 4 Audio signal is gated through to theincoming line.

On another one of its outputs, decoder 21A produces a Message 4 OffControl signal (CTL 1). When controlling computer 3C issues a digitalcommand to force the CTL 1 signal true, this results in resettingmessage 4 flip flop 17F. Depending upon the position of option switch17G, this results in either the Outgoing Line Message 4 Control signal(CTL 45) or the Incoming Line Message 4 Control signal (CTL 46) beingforced false. Whenever the CTL 45 signal is false, switch 16F is open,so that the Message 4 Audio will not propagate to the outgoing line.Whenever the CTL 46 signal is false, switch 16A is open, so that theMessage 4 Audio signal will not propagate to the incoming line.

On another one of its outputs, decoder 21A produces a DTMF Test Mode OnControl signal (CTL 2). When controlling computer 3C issues a digitallycoded command to force the CTL 2 signal true, this results in settingthe DTMF Test Mode flip flop 20H. On another one of its outputs, decoder21A produces a DTMF Test Mode Off Control signal (CTL 3). Whencontrolling computer 3C issues a digitally coded command to force theCTL 3 signal true, this results in resetting DTMF Test Mode flip flop20H.

On another one of its outputs, decoder 21A produces a Status B Controlsignal (CTL 4). The circuitry that responds to this control signal alsoresponds to a Status A Control signal (CTL 22) produced by decoder 21C.When controlling computer 3C issues a digitally coded command to obtainStatus A data from an addressed line card, decoder 21C forces the StatusA Control signal (CTL 22) true. In response, multiplexer 22B propagatessignals from its "A" data inputs to Bits 4-7 of the Status Bus. Its "A"inputs include Ground Return, i.e., a false logic value; the IncomingLine Current Status Bit signal (STA 2); the Outgoing Line ConnectControl signal (CTL 55); and the Incoming Line Busy Control signal (CTL48). When controlling computer 3C issues a digitally coded command toobtain Status B data from an addressed line card, decoder 21A forces theStatus B Control signal (CTL 4) true. In response, multiplexer 22Bpropagates signals from its "B" data inputs to Bits 4-7 of the StatusBus. Its "B" inputs include Ground Return; the Outgoing Line CurrentStatus Bit signal (STA 1); the On-Hook Timer Status Bit signal (STA 5);and the Monitor Status Bit signal (STA 6).

As for Bits 0-3 of a status word provided by an addressed line card,latch 22A has an enable input that responds to the Status A Controlsignal (CTL 22). When controlling computer 3C issues a digitally codedcommand to obtain Status A data from monitor card 3F, decoder 21C forcesthe Status A Control signal (CTL 22) true. In response, latch 22Apropagates signals from its data inputs to Bits 0-3 of the Status Bus.Its data inputs are the four parallel output signals of receiver 20A,i.e., the CTL 36, CTL 37, CTL 38, and CTL 39 signals. Latch 22A copiesthese signals whenever the output signal of gate 22C is forced true bythe DTMF Data Valid Control signal (CTL 35) being true while the StatusA Control signal (CTL 22) is false.

On another one of its outputs, decoder 21A produces a Hardware Un-BusyControl signal (CTL 5). Some of the line card circuitry that iscontrolled by this control signal is also controlled by an Un-BusyIncoming Line Control signal (CTL 11) produced by decoder 21B. In fact,one command of the command repertory forces each of the CTL 5 and CTL 11signals true. The Activate attendant command is issued to change thestatus of the line card to "Activate" when the line card has been in anstandby or deactivate condition. (Check the use of the word modethroughout the whole patent.) (Check the parallelism in going fromstandby or deactivated status to activate status throughout the wholepatent.) When the CTL 5 signal is forced true, this ensures thatincoming line hardware busy flip flop 19A is in its reset state. This isa necessary but not a sufficient condition to cause ground startsimulating switch 15A to be open. With the CTL 11 signal forced true,this ensures that incoming line software busy flip flop 19C is in itsreset state. With each of flip flops 19A and 19C in their reset state,the CTL 48 signal must be false, thereby ensuring that ground startsimulating switch 15A is open.

As to other outputs of decoder 21B that are used in system IA, one ofthese produces a System Initialize Control signal (CTL 8) that performsthe same resetting function for a line card that the CTL 56 signalperforms for monitor card 3F. Another one of the outputs of decoder 21Bis an Outgoing Line Off Hook & Dial Control signal (CTL 9). Whencontrolling computer 3C issues a digitally coded command to force theCTL 9 signal true, this results in setting off-hook flip flop 18R, whichremains in its set state until completion of execution of operationsrequired by this command. While flip flop 18R is set, the signal its Qoutput produces is false. This is a necessary condition for the signalproduced by NOR gate 18Y to be true. The other necessary conditions arethat three other signals must also be false. These three signals are theIncoming Line Current Status Bit signal (STA 2), the Outgoing LineCurrent Status Bit signal (STA 1), and the On-Hook Timer Status Bitsignal (STA 5).

The STA 2 signal being false indicates that no call is in progress onthe incoming line. The STA 1 signal being false indicates that no callis in progress on the outgoing line. The STA 5 signal being falseindicates that a minimum threshold time period has passed since outgoinghook-switch 15F opened, thereby providing a basis for distinguishing ahook-switch flash within a single call from the termination of one calland the start of another.

When all these necessary conditions prevail, the signal produced by NORgate 18Y forces OR gate 18U to set Outgoing Line Connect flip flop 18T.In response, OR gate 18I forces the CTL 55 signal to be true, and thissignal causes outgoing line hook-switch 15F to close, thereby simulatingan off-hook telephone. Also, the false-to-true transition in the signalproduced by the Q output of flip flop 18T triggers dial tone one-shot18K. As a result, a pulse is defined in the signal produced by one-shot18K. This signal has multiple functions, and is referred to as theOutgoing Line Ground Control (CTL 51) signal because it controlsoutgoing line ground-start switch 15G, and is also referred to as theRedial Preset Strobe signal (STB 3) because it controls the memorystrobe input of DTMF generator 20B. In particular, it prepares generator20B to initiate dialing upon receipt of an ensuing input of parallelsignals representing the "#" symbol.

The pulse in the CTL 51 signal temporarily closes outgoing lineground-start switch 15G for approximately one-half second to stimulategeneration of dial tone. The pulse in the STB 3 signal forces OR gate17E to reset audio connect flip flop 17C. This ensures that the AudioConnect Control signal (CTL 44) is false, and thereby ensures thatinter-connection switch 14C is open while a call is being placed via theoutgoing line.

At the end of this pulse, its true-to-false transition triggers delayone-shot 18L to allow sufficient time to ensure that dial tone isprovided. At the end of the approximately one-second long delay definedby one-shot 18L, a true-to-false transition in the signal it producestriggers dial one-shot 18M. The signal one-shot 18M produces is a DTMFDial Control signal (CTL 52). It is coupled through diodes to the R₄ andC₁ inputs of generator 20B. These inputs in combination correspond tothe "#" symbol; the parallel signals coupled through the diodes initiatethe dialing, which is completed before the end of the approximatelytwo-second long delay provided by one-shot 18M. The true-to-falsetransition in the CTL 52 signal also triggers activate timer 18N toinitiate its timing interval of up to a maximum of 30 seconds.

The signal produced by the Q output of activate timer 18N is the Message1 Control signal (CTL 53) that controls switch 16I. While the CTL 53signal is true, switch 16I is closed, and the Message 1 Audio signal(AUD 6) is applied to the outgoing line. The CTL 53 signal is alsoapplied to the trigger inputs of timer end one-shot 18G and activateabort one-shot 18O. The true-to-false transition in the CTL 53 signalalways triggers (regardless of whether it occurs at the end of themaximum time-out period of 30 seconds or before) timer end one-shot 18G.Thus, a true pulse is defined in the Activate Timer End Strobe signal(STB 1) in either case. On the other hand, the true-to-false transitionin the CTL 53 signal triggers activate abort one-shot 18O only if theSTB 11 signal has remained false throughout the full 30 seconds, andaccordingly has not disabled activate abort one-shot 18O.

On another one of its outputs, decoder 21B produces an Outgoing Line OnHook Control signal (CTL 10). This signal sets flip flop 18S, whichremains in its set state until completion of execution of operationsrequired by this command. With respect to this command, consider asituation prevailing at the end of a shift. If any attendant from theshift is continuing to confer with an incoming caller, it is desirableto await the end of that conversation before terminating the callconnection path to that attendant. When the call in progress at the timeof issuance of this command ends, the STA 2 signal becomes false. Then,because flip flop 18S is set (therefore the signal produced by its Qoutput is false), and the STA 2 signal is false, NOR gate 18W produces atrue signal, causing OR gate 18V to reset outgoing line connect flipflop 18T. This starts the sequence involved in disconnecting the callconnection path to the attendant. This sequence entails playing message2 within the overall time allotted by disconnect timer 18H, and,finally, when the CTL 55 signal becomes false at the end of message 2,it causes hook-switch simulating switch 15F to simulate an on-hookcondition. The triggering of disconnect timer 18H enables message 2 flipflop 18J to be toggled by the next ensuing false-to-true transition inthe Message 2 Start/Stop Strobe signal (STB 13), which is produced bydriver circuit 21G. The signal produced by message 2 flip flop 18J isthe Message 2 Control signal (CTL 54). While the CTL 54 signal is true,switch 16H is closed and propagates the Message 2 Audio signal (AUD 7)as the Outgoing Line Audio signal (AUD 0). The next false-to-truetransition in the STB 13 signal causes AND gate 18P to clear disconnecttimer 18H and simultaneously toggles message 2 flip flop 18J.

On another one of its outputs, decoder 21B produces a Busy Incoming LineControl signal (CTL 12). Controlling computer 3C issues this command toexercise software control over the incoming line; more particularly,when this command is decoded, incoming line software busy flip flop 19Cis set. While flip flop 19C is set, the CTL 48 signal produced by ORgate 19B must be true, and accordingly ground start simulating switch15A must be closed. Controlling computer 3C exercises this softwarecontrol as part of a software sequence for loading a phone number andplacing a call to the multi-purpose station identified by that phonenumber. As part of this software sequence, controlling computer 3Cissues a command to cause decoder 21D to force the Phone Number MemoryStrobe Control signal (CTL 30) true. While true, the CTL 30 signalforces OR gate 20I to provide a memory strobe to DTMF generator 20B.Further as part of this software sequence, controlling computer 3Cissues a series of commands to load a phone number. Each of the commandsin this series causes each of decoders 21C and 21D to force true one ofthe signals it produces. For example, to load the digit "9," controllingcomputer 3C issues a command to force both the DTMF Number Dial R3Control signal (CTL 18) and the DTMF Number Dial C3 Control signal (CTL26) true. More generally, to load any digit, controlling computer 3Cissues a command to cause decoders 21C and 21D to force one of the CTL16, CTL 17, CTL 18, and CTL 19 signals true, and one of the CTL 24, CTL25, CTL 26, and CTL 27 signals true. After issuing this series ofcommands to load the series of digits of the phone number into DTMFgenerator 20B, controlling computer 3C issues the command that causesdecoder 21B to initiate the off-hook and dial sequence that begins withthe CTL 9 signal becoming true.

Controlling computer 3C relentlessly monitors the status of each linecard by issuing commands to retrieve status A and status B words. Thisrelentless monitoring is a process that is independent of, and inparallel with, the above-described sequence of operation. Based on theretrieved status data, controlling computer 3C communicates via modemphone line 3E with supervisory computer 3D to provide data used toupdate the displayed status report. For example, when controllingcomputer 3C finds that a transition has occurred from one of threesignals being true, that one being the CTL 48 signal, to all threesignals being true, the three being the CTL 48, CTL 55, and STA 1signals, then controlling computer 3C sends data to supervisory computer3D to cause the color for the corresponding line card to change fromblue to magenta.

Further as part of this independent and parallel process, controllingcomputer 3C recognizes the occurrence of the encoded security-clearancesignal (i.e., the parallel bits of CTL 36-CTL 39). After this isrecognized, controlling computer 3C issues the command to cause the CTL11 signal true. This resets flip flop 19C.

As to the matter of retries, controlling computer 3C monitors the STA 1and the CTL 55 signals. If transitions occur in these signals (from trueto false), then controlling computer 3C increments its count of tries,and, if the incremented count is less than a pre-set number, initiatesanother try to complete a call with an attendant.

On others of its outputs, decoder 21B produces an Outgoing Line FastDisconnect Control signal (CTL 13), and an Outgoing Line Fast ConnectControl signal (CTL 14). With respect to these decoded commands,consider a sequence of operations carried out under software control totransfer a call from one attendant to another. At the outset of such atransfer, there is already a call in progress. Accordingly, thefollowing signals are true: the STA 1 signal and the CTL 55 signal (incombination, this indicates a call connection path is complete on theoutgoing line); and the STA 2 signal (this indicates a call connectionpath is complete on the incoming line).

Under these conditions, controlling computer 3C issues a command tomonitor the incoming line by causing decoders 21C and 21D to force theCTL 21 and CTL 28 signals true. The CTL 21 signal, while true, resetsmonitor side flip flop 17B (FIG. 17). The CTL 28 signal, while true,sets monitor flip flop 17A (FIG. 17). Next, controlling computer 3Cissues a command to cause decoder 21A to force the CTL 2 signal true.This sets flip flop 20H and this in turn disables the internal mute soas to allow DTMF decoder 20A to decode internally generated DTMFsignals. Having established this condition, controlling computer 3Cissues a command to cause decoders 21C and 21D to force the CTL 16 andCTL 25 signals true so as to simulate a digit "2" at the input of DTMFgenerator 20B. In response, DTMF generator 20B produces a DTMF signalcorresponding to the digit "2." This DTMF signal is received viareceiver 20C, and is decoded by decoder 20A so that the STB 7 signalbecomes true. The STB 7 signal causes OR gate 17E to reset audio connectflip flop 17C, thereby opening inter-connection switch 14C. At thispoint, the supervisor can confer with the incoming caller, and theattendant on the outgoing line has been isolated from the incoming line.

Having established this condition, controlling computer 3C issues acommand to cause decoder 21B to force the CTL 13 signal true. Thiscauses OR gate 18V to reset outgoing line connect flip flop 18T. This inturn causes disconnect timer 18H to initiate the sequence of operationsdescribed above for playing message 2 and then disconnecting the callconnection path to the attendant.

Controlling computer 3C monitors status data, as described above, todetermine that the disconnection has occurred and that sufficient timehas passed to go off hook and dial. This determination is based onmonitoring three signals: the on-hook timer status signal (STA 5); theSTA 1 signal; and the CTL 55 signal. When all three of these signalshave become false, controlling computer 3C proceeds to download a phonenumber by the series of commands described above. This downloaded phonenumber identifies the telephone of a transferee attendant.

Next, controlling computer 3C issues a command to cause decoder 21B toforce the Outgoing Line Fast Connect Control signal (CTL 14) true. Whiletrue, the CTL 14 signal causes OR gates 18X and 18U to set flip flop18T. This initiates the hardware sequence of placing the call to thetransferee attendant. Simultaneously, the CTL 14 signal causes OR gate17I to set message 3 flip flop 17H to force the CTL 47 signal true. Thisdisables activate timer 18N. Thus, although the sequential operation ofone-shots 18K, 18L, and 18M is the same as described above, activatetimer 18N does not respond to triggering in this transfer sequence. As aresult, the message 1 control signal (CTL 53) remains false; further,neither one-shot 18G nor one-shot 18O is triggered.

When the security-verification signal for a transferee attendant isreceived, the STB 10 signal is forced true, and this causes OR gate 17Jto reset flip flop 17H. As a result, the CTL 47 signal returns to itsnormal false value. Simultaneously, the STB 10 signal causes AND gate17D to set audio connect flip flop 17C. Thus, at the end of thistransfer sequence, the call on the incoming line is connected throughinter-connection switch 14C to the outgoing line connected to thetransferee's multi-purpose station, and the monitor audio is connectedto the incoming line.

To connect the monitor audio to the outgoing line, controlling computer3C issues a command to force the CTL 20 signal true. This sets monitorside flip flop 17B.

Decoder 21D also produces a Monitor Off Control signal (CTL 29) inresponse to a digitally coded command issued by controlling computer 3C.The CTL 29 signal has two functions. One of these functions is to resetmonitor flip flop 17A. While monitor flip flop 17A is in its resetstate, AND gates 17L and 17M force the CTL 41 and CTL 42 signals false,so that both switch 16C and switch 16D are open, whereby neither theincoming line to the particular line card, nor the outgoing line fromthe particular line card is connected to supervisory station 11. Thesecond function of the CTL 29 signal is to cause OR gate 17D to setaudio connect flip flop 17C. This function is involved when a supervisorhas completed a conversation with an incoming caller whileinter-connection switch 14C is open. When the Monitor Off Control signalis received, it forces inter-connection switch 14C to close, so that theincoming caller can resume conferring with an attendant.

There will now be described, with reference to FIGS. 24 to 28, otherrepresentative human-readable status reports that are displayed to thesupervisor on the screen of video display terminal 1F. The ensuingdescription of these displayed status reports brings out how thesupervisor is prompted to use either mouse 1G alone, or mouse 1G andkeyboard 1H, in interactively performing a series of steps to effect aselection and every sub-selection needed to enter a supervisory command.

In FIG. 24, the triangular-shaped mouse cursor appears in the main menuselection line, next to the "Control" menu item. The supervisor hasselected this item on the main menu selection line by moving mouse 1G toposition the mouse cursor next to the "Control" item and clicking thebutton on the mouse. As one result of this selection, the "Control" itemis highlighted to indicate that it has been selected. The highlightingis indicated in FIG. 24 by a single-line box surrounding the "Control"item. As another such result, there appears in FIG. 24 a pull-down menu,which is associated with this selected main menu item and which issurrounded by a double-line box. This pull-down menu presents thefollowing seven sub-selections: "Activate"; "Standby"; "Deactivate";"Busy"; "Unbusy"; "Transfer"; and "Initialize." The presentation ofthese seven sub-selections prompts the supervisor to proceed to selectone of these seven sub-selections by appropriately positioning the mousecursor, and then clicking the mouse button.

FIG. 25 shows the top of the displayed status report after thesupervisor has selected the "Activate" sub-selection. As one result ofthis selection, the "Activate" sub-selection is highlighted; this isindicated in FIG. 25 by a single-line box surrounding the "Activate"sub-selection. As another such result, there appears in FIG. 25 apull-out menu, which is associated with the "Activate" sub-selection andwhich is surrounded by a single-line box. This pull-out menu in thepreferred embodiment presents the following three preset timer options:"Timer No. 1"; "Timer No. 2"; "Timer No. 3". The presentation of thesethree options prompts the supervisor to proceed to a step to select oneof these options. By selecting the "Timer No. 1" option, the supervisor,in this instance, would select a preset maximum waiting interval betweencalls of two minutes and 30 seconds. By selecting Timer No. 2, themaximum waiting interval would be 30 seconds, or by selecting Timer No.3, the maximum waiting interval would be 10 seconds.

Modification of the three preset time values to any defined time is anoption on a pull-down menu displayed as a result of a selection of"Config" on the main menu selection line, as shown at the top of FIG.25.

FIG. 26 shows a pull-out menu as a result of selection of Timer No. 1 inFIG. 25. By selecting the "All" option, the supervisor completes thesteps of assigning Timer No. 1 to all of the line cards. The "Random"option enables the supervisor to position the mouse cursor to anyarbitrary one of the matrix of 75 line card representing elements, clickthe mouse button and thereby identify that line for use in activating anattendant. By doing so, the supervisor completes the steps for enteringthe maximum wait interval supervisory command applicable to theidentified line card. If the supervisor wants to enter a maximum waitinterval supervisory command applicable to another line, this can bedone in the same way without repeating all the steps starting fromselecting "Control" from the main menu selection line. As to the line"18" option, line card 18 happens to be the current line card. That is,it is the line card corresponding to the box framed by the displaypointer (FIG. 23) at the time the supervisor selected the "Control" itemon the main menu. Any line card can similarly be the current line cardand be so indicated as part of this pull-out menu. In any case, theselection of this option completes the steps for entering a supervisorycommand to cause the current line card to execute the sequence ofoperations involved in placing a call, i.e., activating an attendant.The "Cancel" option is chosen if for example the supervisor haderroneously selected the "Activate" sub-selection or the "Control" item.It is also chosen when the supervisor has entered the last of a seriesof commands from the random selection.

The pull-out menu that appears to the right of the "Activate"sub-selection in FIG. 25 will also appear to the right of each of thefirst five other selected sub-selections within the pull-down menu.Thus, the supervisor can choose to standby or deactivate everyattendant, each of the series of individually identified attendants, orthe attendant servicing the line card such as line card 18 that is thecurrently selected line card. The same is true for causing the busyingor un-busying of the incoming lines to the line cards, and forinitializing the line cards.

On the main menu selection line, the supervisor can also select "Shift"or "Time" or "Config" or "Monitor." The "Config" selection, has anassociated menu (not separately shown) for prompting the supervisor tocomplete the steps involved in entering a change configuration command.The options of this menu are to change parameters that are global to thesystem, so there is no need for an additional pull-out menu to promptfor line card identification. These global or system level parametersinclude ringthrough time, ringthrough length, number of retries, and anemergency telephone number. A ringthrough is a period during the day forwhich it is projected that incoming traffic will be relatively high sothat it is desirable to have attendants on line and ready to answer andservice incoming calls immediately.

For some applications of system IA, it will be the case that incomingtraffic volume will vary in a somewhat cyclical basis during the day:that is, there will be a period of low-volume incoming traffic; followedby periods in which incoming traffic rises rapidly, then remains highfor awhile, then trickles down to a low volume; then the cycle willrepeat again albeit not necessarily with a fixed period. Althoughvariable, the incoming traffic can generally be predicted withinreasonable limits. Accordingly, the projected ringthrough times can bestored in records on disk and loaded into supervisory computer 3D. Foreach projected ringthrough, these records specify a real time used indetermining when to start a ringthrough, and an interval used indetermining when to end the ringthrough. The supervisor can issue asupervisory command to override any projected value.

FIG. 27 shows the upper portion of displayed status report in which thesupervisor has clicked on "Phone" and is being prompted to enter a newphone number using the DTMF pad displayed using a mouse to click on thevarious digits needed. A new phone number can also be entered bykeyboard entry. Through use of this feature, an attendant who had beenscheduled to answer and service calls from one multi-purpose station,for example at home, can answer and service calls from another station,for example, the phone at the home of someone the attendant is visitingthat day.

FIG. 28 shows a top portion of a displayed status report, in which apull-down menu appears as a result of the selection of "Shift" from themain menu selection line. In this pull-down menu, the sub-selectionsavailable are: "Load Shifts"; and "Edit Shift." The shift disk is aconventional floppy disk, pre-recorded with all necessary data for aseries of shifts for a week. This data include name, phone number, and aBoolean field indicating the attendant either to be a primary attendantassigned to a particular line card or to be an auxiliary attendant to bein a pool available to be called if the need arises.

The above-described displayed status reports are generated bysupervisory computer 3D under program control, based in part on statusdata provided to supervisory computer 3D from controlling computer 3C.As stated above, in the presently preferred embodiment, each ofsupervisory computer 3D and controlling computer 3C is a personalcomputer. Each uses a conventional disk operating system for performinga variety of low level functions under control of an applicationprogram. The application programs for supervisory computer 3D andcontrolling computer 3C may be written in any of numerous suitablelanguages. It is preferred that a compiled program rather than aninterpretive program be used, for speed of execution, particularly withrespect to matters such as rewriting the screen. A compiled programwritten in PASCAL has ample speed for this application.

With reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 29-34, there will now bedescribed the internal operations of supervisory computer 3D. Three mainprocesses are carried out on an independent and essentially parallelbasis by supervisory computer 3D under program control. To this end, theprogramming of supervisory computer 3D uses non-preemptive multi-taskingtechniques to achieve the effect of timesharing among these threeprocesses.

The flow chart of FIG. 29 depicts the major operations of one of thesethree processes, which concerns communications between supervisorycomputer 3D and controlling computer 3C. It will be recalled that eachof supervisory computer 3D and controlling computer 3C has a modem, andthe two modems are interconnected by modem phone line 3E. Suitably, dataare transferred between these two computers in packets. Each such packethas a standard header format, preceding a variable length record. Inaccord with standard techniques, the header includes bytes for a checksum and for the length of the ensuing variable length record. Variousand sundry detailed operations are involved in assembling such packets,in establishing communication parameters for the modems, and in seriallyproviding bytes to the modems. Providing for these and similar detailedoperations are routine matters and are subordinate to the broadermatters covered in FIG. 29 and the remaining flow charts.

The following PASCAL-language declarations set out constants that, inthe application program for supervisory computer 3D, are referred to inoperations to communicate supervisory commands from supervisory computer3D to controlling computer 3C:

    __________________________________________________________________________    {Communications-related packets.}                                             Const                                                                         COMM.sub.-- PREFIX                                                                             = $80;                                                                             {High 4-bits of a comm command.}                        ACK.sub.-- CMD   = $81;                                                                             {Acknowledge packet receipt.}                           NAK.sub.-- CMD   = $82;                                                                             {Error in packet communications.}                       {Telephone number packets.}                                                   Const                                                                         TELENUM.sub.-- PREFIX                                                                          = $90;                                                                             {High 4-bits of telenum command.}                       GET.sub.-- TELENUM.sub.-- CMD                                                                  = $90;                                                                             {Get phone number Controller.}                          SET.sub.-- TELENUM.sub.-- CMD                                                                  = $91;                                                                             {Set number in Controller.}                             BLOCK.sub.-- TELENUM.sub.-- CMD                                                                = $98;                                                                             {Set numbers for a row.}                                {The line controlling commands.}                                              Const                                                                         ALL.sub.-- LINES = $7F;                                                                             {For commands on all lines.}                            LINECTRL.sub.-- PREFIX                                                                         = $A0;                                                                             {High 4-bits of line cont. cmd.}                        ACT.sub.-- OPER CMD                                                                            = $A0;                                                                             {Activate attendant(s).}                                SBY.sub.-- OPER.sub.-- CMD                                                                     = $A1;                                                                             {Standby attendant(s).}                                 DEACT.sub.-- OPER.sub.-- CMD                                                                   =  $A2;                                                                            {Deactivate attendant(s).}                              BUSY.sub.-- CALLER.sub.-- CMD                                                                  = $A3;                                                                             {Make caller side(s) busy.}                             UNBUSY.sub.-- CALLER.sub.-- CMD                                                                = $A4;                                                                             {Make caller side(s) unbusy.}                           INIT.sub.-- CARD.sub.-- CMD                                                                    = $A5;                                                                             {Initialize line card(s).}                              {Monitor-related commands.}                                                   Const                                                                         MONITOR.sub.-- PREFIX                                                                          = $B0;                                                                             {High 4-bits of monitor command.}                       MONITOR.sub.-- CALLER.sub.-- CMD                                                               = $B0;                                                                             {Monitor the caller side.}                              MONITOR.sub.-- OPER.sub.-- CMD                                                                 = $B1;                                                                             {Monitor the attendant side.}                           {Parameter-changing commands.}                                                Const                                                                         PARAM.sub.-- PREFIX                                                                            = $C0;                                                                             {High 4-bits of parameter cmd.}                         SET.sub.-- RETRY.sub.-- CMD                                                                    = $C0;                                                                             {Set dialing retry count.}                              SET.sub.-- EMER.sub.-- NUM.sub.-- CMD                                                          = $C1;                                                                             {Set emergency transfer number.}                        SET.sub.-- NPA.sub.-- CMD                                                                      = $C2;                                                                             {Set the local area code.}                              SET.sub.-- LOCAL.sub.-- ACS.sub.-- CMD                                                         = $C3;                                                                             {Set the local access numbers.}                         GET.sub.-- READY.sub.-- CMD                                                                    = $C8;                                                                             {Get dialing retry count.}                              GET.sub.-- EMER.sub.-- NUM.sub.-- CMD                                                          = $C9;                                                                             {Get emergency transfer number.}                        GET.sub.-- NPA.sub.-- CMD                                                                      = $CA;                                                                             {Get the local area code.}                              GET.sub.-- LOCAL.sub.-- ACS.sub.-- CMD                                                         = $CB;                                                                             {Get the local access numbers.}                         {Emergency and help servicing commands.}                                      Const                                                                         EMERHELP.sub.-- PREFIX                                                                         = $D0;                                                                             {High 4-bits of emer/help cmd.}                         TRANSFER.sub.-- EMER.sub.-- CMD                                                                = $D0;                                                                             {Transfer caller to emer number.}                       HELP.sub.-- SERVICED.sub.-- CMD                                                                = $D1;                                                                             {Signal the help as serviced.}                          EMER.sub.-- SERVICED.sub.-- CMD                                                                = $D2;                                                                             {Signal the emer as serviced.}                          {For the status.}                                                             Const                                                                         STATUS.sub.-- PREFIX                                                                           = $F0;                                                                             {High 4-bits of status/dump cmd.}                       STATUS.sub.-- CMD                                                                              = $F0;                                                                             {Returned status command.}                              MULTI.sub.-- STATUS.sub.-- CMD                                                                 = $F1;                                                                             {Dump up to 75 new statuses.}                           UPDATE.sub.-- SUPER.sub.-- CMD                                                                 = $F2;                                                                             {Update the supervisor.}                                POLLING.sub.-- CMD                                                                             = $F3;                                                                             {Poll the C. Comp. for packets.}                        __________________________________________________________________________

In block 29A of FIG. 29, supervisory computer 3D determines whether anysupervisory command is to be sent to controlling computer 3C. Block 29Ais in accord with a convention used throughout the flow charts in whicha diamond-shaped block indicates a control structure for controlling theflow of operations. A corresponding programming control structure is an"if-then-else" control structure. As to supervisory commands, theprogramming of supervisory computer 3D includes conventional mousedriver programming and associated programming that provides fordetermining when and which supervisory command has been entered by thesupervisor. Further, conventional circular queue managing programming isincluded to provide a list of entered supervisory commands and toprovide head and tail pointers to the list. If the tail pointer exceedsthe head pointer by more than one (modulo the number of cells providedby the circular queue) then there are supervisory commands waiting inthe queue to be sent to controlling computer 3C.

If there is a supervisory command to send, the flow proceeds to block29B in which supervisory computer 3D sends a supervisory command tocontrolling computer 3C and waits for either an "acknowledge38 or a "noacknowledge." In block 29C, supervisory computer 3D determines whether a"no acknowledge" has been returned and, if so, re-enters block 29B.Otherwise, the flow proceeds to a block 29D, which entails moving in thecircular queue to the next supervisory command to send, and then loopingback to re-enter block 29A.

If within block 29A it is determined that there is no supervisorycommand to send, the flow proceeds to block 29E in which supervisorycomputer 3D determines whether to poll for status data.

The following PASCAL-language declarations set out constants that, inthe application program for supervisory computer 3D, are referred to inoperations to receive status data from controlling computer 3C:

    ______________________________________                                        {Status byte returned from the controlling computer 3C.}                      {Low nibble concerns screen colors.}                                          Const                                                                         S.sub.-- DIALING                                                                          = 1;    {Card is trying to reach an atten-                                            dant}                                                     S.sub.-- UNREADY                                                                          = 2;    {Attendant is not ready for in-                                               coming calls.}                                            S.sub.-- READY                                                                            = 3;    {Attendant is ready and waiting                                               for calls.}                                               S.sub.-- CIP                                                                              = 4;    {There is a call in progress on                                               the line.}                                                S.sub.-- BUSY                                                                             = 5;    {The caller side of the line is                                               busied.}                                                  S.sub.-- UNBUSY                                                                           = 6;    {The caller side of the line is                                               unbusied.}                                                S.sub.-- SBY                                                                              = 7;    {The card is in standby status.}                          S.sub.-- UNKNOWN                                                                          = 8;    {The card is in unknown con-                                                  dition.}                                                  S.sub.-- NOCARD                                                                           = 9;    {There is no card in the given                                                position.}                                                {High nibble concerns other status matters.}                                  Const                                                                         S.sub.-- EMER                                                                             = 16;   {An emergency request for the                                                 given line.}                                              S.sub.-- HELP                                                                             = 32;   {A help request for the given                                                 line.}                                                    S.sub.-- CANCEL                                                                           = 48;   {The help or emer request is can-                                             celled.}                                                  S.sub.-- TFERRED                                                                          = 64;   {The emergency call has been                                                  transferred.}                                             S.sub.-- NOOPER                                                                           = 80;   {The oper. didn't respond in                                                  retry limit.}                                             S.sub.-- REFUSED                                                                          = 96;   {The attendant refused further                                                calls.}                                                   ______________________________________                                    

If no such polling si to be conducted, the flow returns to block 29A.Otherwise, the flow proceeds to block 29G in which supervisory computer3D gets a status packet or an acknowledge packet from controllingcomputer 3C. Next, the flow proceeds to bock 29G, in which supervisorycomputer 3D determines whether a status packet has been received. Ifnot, the flow returns to block 29A. Otherwise, the flow proceeds toblock 29H, in which supervisory computer 3D updates the displayed statusreport in accord with the data provided by controlling computer 3C inthe received status packet. In the presently preferred embodiment, thecolors of the boxes are controlled by screen attribute bytes stored inthe screen buffer. The following PASCAL-language constant declarationsapply to these attribute bytes:

    ______________________________________                                        {The colors of the line card status boxes}                                    Const                                                                         DIALING.sub.-- COLOR                                                                             = $0D;   {Light matten-                                                                danta/black}                                      NOT.sub.-- READY.sub.-- COLOR                                                                    = $0C;   {Light red/black}                                 READY.sub.-- COLOR = $0E;   {Yellow/black}                                    CALL.sub.-- COLOR  = $02;   {Green/black}                                     MADE.sub.-- BUSY.sub.-- COLOR                                                                    = $09;   {Light blue/black}                                MADE.sub.-- UNBUSY.sub.-- COLOR                                                                  = $06;   {Brown/black}                                     STANDBY.sub.-- COLOR                                                                             = $07;   {Grey/black}                                      NO.sub.-- CARD.sub.-- COLOR                                                                      = $00;   {Black/black}                                     FLASH.sub.-- COLOR = $80;   {Makes a color                                                                flash}                                            ______________________________________                                    

Thus, there is no need to keep a separate table in supervisory computer3D of status data, by line card, with respect to status matters such asdialing or not, ready or not, and the like. Next, the flow proceeds toblock 29I, in which supervisory computer 3D makes appropriate changes inemergency and help queues, these being first-in, first-out variablelength lists kept in memory. Next, controlling computer 3D in block 29Jmakes appropriate changes to a database it maintains for statisticalpurposes. This database comprised records in which are kept variousstatistics such as number of calls, number of dropped calls and thelike. The following PASCAL-language type declaration applies to eachdatabase record in supervisory computer 3D;

    ______________________________________                                        Type                                                                          OpStat.sub.-- Type = array[1 . . . 75] of record                              op.sub.-- calls,                                                                          {calls per ringthrough}                                           op.sub.-- drops,                                                                          {drops per ringthrough}                                           last.sub.-- stat,                                                                         {last status, recorded for later comparison                                   in computing length of call}                                      oper.sub.-- scnd,                                                                         {time of receipt of last status-secs}                             oper.sub.-- time,                                                                         {time of receipt of last status-hrs/mins}                         oper.sub.-- dofw                                                                          {time of receipt of last status-day of wk.}                       :Integer;                                                                     end;                                                                          ______________________________________                                    

The operations depicted in FIG. 29B relate to automatic features fororiginating calls to auxiliary attendants when the need arises to do so.As stated above, data are pre-recorded on a shift disk to provide thenames, phone numbers, and other information concerning persons who havebeen scheduled to serve as either primary attendants or in a pool ofauxiliary attendants. As a result of loading such a shift disk, there isproduced in the memory of supervisory computer 3D a list of entries.Each such entry includes a name, a phone number, a designation as toprimary attendant or auxiliary attendant, and a designation as to activeor inactive.

If an attendant is scheduled to be a primary attendant, but either doesnot respond when called, or refuses calls, it is desirable to replacethat attendant with an auxiliary attendant on an automatic basis withoutrequiring intervention by the supervisor.

The operations relating to this automatic feature involve, as indicatedin block 29K, determining whether an attendant has refused calls. Toprovide an indication to the system of the decision to refuse calls, aperson can, while on line to the system, use the touch tone keypad onthe multi-purpose station to initiate the generation of a predeterminedin-band signal. Upon detection of this predetermined signal andcommunication of its receipt within a status packet, supervisorycomputer 3D can proceed to perform appropriate functions without manualintervention by the supervisor.

If an attendant did not refuse calls, the flow proceeds to block 29L. Inblock 29L, supervisory computer 3D determines whether an attendant didnot answer. If an attendant did not answer, the flow proceeds to block29M in which supervisory computer 3D updates the list to mark theattendant's entry to indicate the attendant is absent.

If an attendant refuses calls, the flow proceeds from block 29K to block29N, in which supervisory computer updates the list to mark theattendant's entry to indicate the attendant has refused calls.

After either block 29M or block 29N, the flow proceeds to block 290, inwhich supervisory computer 3D determines whether any auxiliaryattendants are available to replace a candidate attendant. If not, theflow proceeds to block 29P in which supervisory computer 3D updates thelist to mark the attendant's entry to indicate the attendant isinactive. Otherwise, the flow proceeds to block 29Q, in whichsupervisory computer 3D updates the list by replacing the attendant'sentry with an available auxiliary attendant's entry. Next, the flowproceeds to block 29R, in which supervisory computer 3D marks theauxiliary attendant's entry to indicate that the attendant is no longeravailable in the pool. Next, the flow proceeds to block 29S, in whichsupervisory computer 3D determines whether further processing is neededwith respect to status data for other line cards reported in the statuspacket being processed. If so, the flow loops back to re-enter block29K; otherwise, it loops back to re-enter block 29A.

With reference to the flow chart of FIG. 30, there will now be describedthe operations of a second of the independent processes, this processbeing for real-time timing and automatic functions. In block 30A,supervisory computer 3D determines whether the time or date has changed(i.e. by a sufficient increment, which for real-time clock purposes isone second). If not, the flow loops back to re-enter block 30A. Thisloop has the characteristics of a "repeat-until" programming controlstructure. Upon exiting this repeat-until loop, the flow proceeds toblock 30B, in which supervisory computer 3D causes a new time and, ifnecessary, a new date to be displayed (see FIG. 23, e.g., for thelocation within the displayed status report where date and time aredisplayed). Next, the flow proceeds to block 30C in which supervisorycomputer 3D determines whether a ringthrough is in progress. If not, theflow proceeds to block 30D where supervisory computer 3D determineswhether 15 seconds or less time remains before the next projectedringthrough. If not, the flow loops back to re-enter block 30A.Otherwise, the flow proceeds to block 30E, in which supervisory computer3D determines whether shift data have been downloaded for theringthrough. If not, the flow proceeds to block 30F, then to block 30G;otherwise, the flow proceeds to block 30G directly. In block 30F, shiftdata are downloaded. That is, data that have been pre-recorded on diskand read into memory of supervisory computer 3D are sent to controllingcomputer 3C. In block 30G, supervisory computer 3D determines whetherthe time has arrived to start the ringthrough. If so, the flow proceedsto block 30H then loops back to re-enter block 30A; otherwise, the flowloops back directly. In block 30H, the ringthrough is started by placingcalls to all attendants in a shift for the ringthrough.

If it is determined in block 30C that a ringthrough is in progress, theflow proceeds to block 30I in which supervisory computer 3D determineswhether the time has arrived to end the ringthrough. If not, the flowloops back to re-enter block 30A. If it has, the flow proceeds to ablock 30J in which supervisory computer 3D ends the ringthrough bycooperating with controlling computer 3C to disconnect all theattendants, then proceeds to block 30K in which supervisory computer 3Dfinds and sets the next shift and ringthrough time and then loops backto re-enter block 30A.

With reference to FIG. 31, there will now be described the operations ofa third of the three independent processes, this process being for theuser interface. In block 31A, supervisory computer 3D determines whetherthe supervisor has issued a request, through either the keyboard or themouse. As stated above, conventional mouse driver programming isincluded within the software for supervisory computer 3D. Throughreference to a combination of variables that are controlled by suchmouse driver programming, supervisory computer 3D makes thedetermination whether a request is pending. If no request is pending,the flow loops back to re-enter block 31A. This loop has thecharacteristics of a "repeat-until" programming control structure. Uponexiting this repeat-until loop, the flow proceeds through a series oftest blocks that correspond to a programming "case" control structurewithin a loop such that the flow re-enters block 31A. In the case of arequest to change the line card which is being monitored, the flowproceeds from block 31B to block 31C. The display pointer describedabove with reference to FIG. 23 indicates to the supervisor which linecard is providing monitor audio to supervisory Station 11. A variablekeeps track of which one of the line cards is being monitored. When thesupervisor wants to change the line card being monitored from a firstline card to a second line card, the supervisor moves the mouse toposition the mouse cursor so that it is placed next to the box for thesecond line card, and then clicks the mouse button. This constitutes arequest to which supervisory computer 3D responds by updating theabove-mentioned variable to identify the second line card, and byrepositioning the display pointer, and so forth, to change the line cardbeing monitored. Supervisory computer 3D further responds to the requestby sending supervisory commands to controlling computer 3C to cause itto send digitally coded commands to the first and second line cards todisable the monitor audio on the first line card and to enable it on thesecond line card. In the case of a request to send a supervisory commandto controlling computer 3C, the flow proceeds from block 31D to block31E. The operations of block 31E are described below with reference toFIG. 32. In the case of a request for a configuration command, the flowproceeds from block 31F to block 31G. The operations of block 31G aredescribed below with reference to FIG. 33.

In the case of a request for a shift command, the flow proceeds fromblock 31H to block 31I. The operations of block 31I are described belowwith reference to FIG. 34.

With reference to FIGS. 32A and 32B, there will now be described theoperations for processing a supervisory command to be sent tocontrolling computer 3C. These operations begin in block 32A, areentered from block 31D (FIG. 31), and exit to block 31A (FIG. 31). Theflow proceeds through a series of test blocks that correspond to aprogramming "case" control structure. FIG. 32A shows that, in the caseof a command to initialize one or more lines, the flow proceeds fromblock 32A to block 32B, in which at least one line card is initialized.For each line card that is initialized during block 32B, supervisorycomputer 3D sends supervisory commands to controlling computer 3C, andit in turn sends digitally coded commands to the line card to be decodedby decoders 21A-21D described above. These initialization commands placethe line card in a predetermined state, in which both the circuitry forthe incoming line station connection controller and the circuitry forthe outgoing line station connection controller are off hook and busy.Further, status records maintained in a status file in controllingcomputer 3C are set to correspond to this predetermined state. Thisstatus file is discussed below with reference to FIG. 35, the flow chartfor the outer loop of operation of controlling computer 3C.

In the case of a supervisory command to busy one or more line cards, theflow proceeds from block 32C to block 32D. As indicated in the pull-downmenu shown in FIG. 24, "Busy" is one of the sub-selections available inthe pull-down menu beneath the "Control" main menu item. Further,because the pull-out menu that is presented upon clicking on "Busy"presents options as to all, random, etc., one or more line cards can beidentified by the supervisor to be placed in a busied-out condition. Foreach such line card, supervisory computer 3D and controlling computer 3Ccooperate to cause the ground start simulating switch on the line cardto close to busy-out the incoming line.

In the case of a supervisory command to unbusy one or more line cards,the flow proceeds from block 32E to block 32F. As indicated in thepull-down menu shown in FIG. 24, "Unbusy" is one of the sub-selectionsavailable. Further, because the pull-out menu that is presented uponclicking on "Unbusy" presents options as to all, random, etc., one ormore line cards can be identified by the supervisor to be placed in anunbusy condition. For each such line card, supervisory computer 3D andcontrolling computer 3C cooperate to cause the ground start simulatingswitch on the line card to open, to unbusy the incoming line.

In the case of a supervisory command to deactivate one or more lines,the flow proceeds from block 32G to block 32H, and, if all lines are tobe disconnected, through blocks 32I and 32J. If one or more but not allthe lines are to be deactivated, the flow proceeds from block 32H toblock 32K. As indicated in the pull-down menu shown in FIG. 24,"Deactivate" is one of the sub-selections available beneath the"Control" main menu item. Further, because the pull-out menu that ispresented upon clicking on "Deactivate" presents options as to all,random, etc., one or more line cards can be identified by the supervisorto be deactivated. For each such line card, supervisory computer 3D andcontrolling computer 3C cooperate to cause the circuitry for the stationconnection controller for the outgoing line to deactivate the attendant.If all attendants have been so deactivated, in block 32J, supervisorycomputer 3D finds and sets the next shift and ringthrough time.

With reference to FIG. 32B, in the case of a supervisory command toactivate one or more lines, the flow proceeds from block 32L to 32M, andif one or more but not all of the lines are to be activated, to block32N. As indicated in the pull-down menu shown in FIG. 24, "Activate" isone of the sub-selections available in the pull-down menu beneath the"Control" main menu item. Once the command to "Activate" one or morelines has been given, the time delay or maximum waiting interval forthat line or lines has to be chosen. Further, because the pull-out menuthat is presented upon clicking on "Activate" presents options as toall, random, etc., one or more line cards can be identified to have acall placed to an attendant. For each such line card, supervisorycomputer 3D and controlling computer 3C cooperate to cause the circuitryfor the outgoing line station connection controller to go off hook anddial an attendant and retry if necessary until a security verificationsignal is received. If all lines are to be activated, the flow proceedsfrom block 32N to block 32P, in which supervisory computer 3D determineswhether shift data have been downloaded. If not, the flow proceeds toblock 32Q, in which supervisory computer 3D downloads shift data forthis ringthrough. Either after block 32Q, or if it is determined inblock 32P that shift data have already been downloaded, the flowproceeds to block 32R, in which supervisory computer 3D starts theringthrough by activating all the attendants.

As indicated in the pull-down menu shown in FIG. 24 "Standby" is one ofthe sub-selection available in the pull-down menu beneath the "Control"main menu item. Any lines which the supervisor wishes to place onstandby status can now be specified through the pull-out menu that ispresented on clicking on "standby," such as the "All," "Random," etc.One or more line cards can be identified as being placed on "standby"status. Once the command to "standby" to place lines in the "standby"status then the time delay or maximum waiting interval between calls canbe chosen or reset. For each such line card, supervisory computer 3B andcontrolling computer 3C cooperate to cause the circuitry for the stationconnection control for the outgoing line to drop the attendant off thenetwork and to mark the status for that line card and attendant as beingon "standby." An attendant on standby means that he is scheduled andavailable to take calls but is not on-line or networked through thesystem until the next incoming call on that line is detected, at whichpoint the system would automatically activate that attendant and networkhim. If all attendants are to be placed on standby, the flow proceedsfrom block 32U to 32W in which supervisory computer 3D determineswhether shift data has been downloaded. If not, the flow proceeds toblock 32X in which supervisory computer 3D downloads shift data for thisringthrough. After block 32X, or if it has been determined in block 32Wthat shift data have already been downloaded, the flow proceeds to block32Y, in which supervisory computer 3D starts the ringthrough by puttingall the attendants on standby.

With reference to FIG. 33, there will now be described the operationsfor processing system configuration commands. These operations begin inblock 33A, are entered from block 31F (FIG. 31), and exit to block 31A(FIG. 31). The flow proceeds through a series of test blocks thatcorrespond to a programming "case" control structure. The configurationcommands include commands affecting the displayed status report andcommands affecting global or system level parameters. As indicated inFIG. 23, the main menu line includes items for "Shift," "Config," andfor "Monitor." These configuration commands affect the displayed statusreport and are involved in the operations depicted in FIG. 33.

In the case of a configuration command to change the monitor line side,flow proceeds from block 33A to 33B. In block 33B, supervisory computer3D determines whether the caller side or the attendant side is beingmonitored. If the caller side is being monitored, the flow proceeds toblock 33C. In block 33C, supervisory computer 3D cooperates withcontrolling computer 3C to switch to monitor the attendant side of theline. Otherwise, supervisory computer 3D enters block 33D, in whichsupervisory computer 3D and controlling computer 3C cooperate to causethe monitor audio to be connected to the caller side of the line.

With reference to FIG. 33, the configuration commands involved in theoperations depicted in FIG. 33 are those associated with the mainselection line upon clicking on "Config" (FIG. 23). In the case of achange of ringthrough length, the flow proceeds from block 33E to block33F, in which the ringthrough length may be set within limits betweenone and thirty minutes, as determined by the supervisor's entry of thevalue using the mouse. In the case of a change configuration command tochange the ringthrough time, the flow proceeds from block 33G to block33H, in which the ringthrough time is set to a time within limitsbetween one and thirty minutes, as determined by the supervisor's entryof the time using the mouse. In the case of a change configurationcommand to change the emergency number, the flow proceeds from block 33Ito block 33J in which the telephone number for an emergency operator,keyed in by the supervisor using the keyboard, is sent to controllingcomputer 3C.

In the case of a change configuration command in which the supervisor issetting a new number of retries, the flow proceeds from block 33K toblock 33L, in which the number of retries is set to a number withinlimits between one and five times, as determined by the supervisor'sentry of the number using the mouse.

With reference to FIGS. 34A and 34B, there will now be described theoperations involved in processing shift and attendant commands that thesupervisor enters in response to prompting by the displayed statusreport shown in FIG. 28. These operations begin in block 34A, areentered from block 31H (FIG. 31), and exit to block 31A (FIG. 31). Thisflow of operations involves a series of tests that correspond to a"case" programming control structure. In the case of a supervisorycommand to load a shift disk, the flow proceeds from block 34A to block34B, and if a disk is present in the disk drive, to block 34C. If nodisk is present in the disk drive, the flow proceeds to block 34D, inwhich supervisory computer 3D causes an error message to be displayedand then loops back to re-enter block 34B. Accordingly, a looping actionoccurs until such time as the correct disk is placed in the disk drive.Eventually when a shift disk is found present in block 31C so that flowproceeds to block 34C, supervisory computer 3D gets a list of shifts onthe disk, and in block 34E reads each shift so listed from the disk. Inthe case of a supervisory command to change the current shift (resultingfrom clicking on "Shift" on the left side of the display of FIG. 28),the flow proceeds from block 34F to block 34G, in which the supervisorselects a new shift from available choices. In the case of a supervisorycommand to cancel an attendant, flow proceeds from block 34H to block34I, in which the supervisor selects each attendant to cancel. Followingblock 34I, the flow proceeds to block 34J in which supervisory computer3D determines whether an auxiliary attendant is available to replace theattendant being cancelled. It makes this determination on the basis ofreference to the list of pooled auxiliary attendants. If so, flowproceeds to block 34K in which the attendant is replaced with anauxiliary attendant. Then in block 34L, supervisory computer 3D marksits records to indicate the auxiliary attendant is no longer availableto be assigned to another line card. In other words, the auxiliaryattendant is deleted from the pool. On the other outcome of the testeffected in block 34J, the flow proceeds to block 34M, in whichsupervisory computer 3D marks its records for the cancelled attendant asbeing inactive.

With reference to FIG. 34B, in the case of a supervisory command tocancel an auxiliary attendant, the flow proceeds from block 34N toblocks 340 and 34P, in which supervisory computer 3D prompts thesupervisor to select the auxiliary attendant to cancel, and then marksthe record for the auxiliary attendant as no longer available to beassigned to a line card. In the case of a supervisory command to togglean attendant as active, the flow proceeds from block 34Q to block 34Rand then to block 34S. In block 34R, an attendant is selected, and inblock 34S, supervisory computer 3D determines whether this selectedattendant is active. If so, supervisory computer 3D marks its record forthat attendant as being inactive; if not, supervisory computer 3D marksthe record for attendant as being active. These occur in blocks 34T and34U, respectively. In the case of a supervisory command to change thephone number for the current shift, the flow proceeds from block 34V toblocks 34W and 34X, in which the supervisor selects the attendant andthen enters the telephone number.

With reference to FIGS. 35 through 63, there will now be described theinternal operations of controlling computer 3C in responding tosupervisory commands sent to it from supervisory computer 3D and incooperating with supervisory computer 3D to control line connectioncontrol system 1C.

FIG. 35 shows a flow chart for the overall outer loop of operationscarried out by controlling computer 3C. In block 35A of this outer flow,controlling computer 3C initializes itself. Following initialization,controlling computer 3C enters its main outer loop which begins in block35B, in which controlling computer 3C reads commands from, and writesstatus data to, supervisory computer 3D via modem. Following block 35B,controlling computer 3C enters block 35C to determine whether anincoming command has arrived. If so, the flow proceeds to block 35D, inwhich the command from supervisory computer 3D is processed. Theoperations involved in block 35D are described below with reference toFIG. 36. If no incoming command has arrived, the flow proceeds fromblock 35C to block 35E, in which controlling computer 3C scans the linecards for status changes. The operations involved in block 35E aredescribed below with reference to FIG. 45. Following block 35E the flowproceeds to block 35F, in which controlling computer 3C processes statuschanges and sends them to supervisory computer 3D. The operationsinvolved in block 35F are described below with reference to FIG. 46. Theflow proceeds to loop back from block 35F to re-enter block 35B.

As to the status of the line cards, controlling computer 3C maintains anarray of database records, with each database record in the arraycontaining numerous fields of data relating to a respective line card.

The following PASCAL-language type declarations apply to such fields andto variables referenced in the application program for controllingcomputer 3C:

    ______________________________________                                        State.sub.-- Type =                                                                     (NO.sub.-- CARD,                                                                           {There is no card present.}                                      CALL,        {Card in normal call state.}                                     TFER.sub.-- CALL,                                                                          {Card in transfer call state.}                                   STANDBY);    {Card in standby state.}                               Status.sub.-- Type =                                                                    (HUNG.sub.-- UP,                                                                           {Waiting for 2-sec delay off.}                                   IDLE,        {Waiting for connect signal.}                                    DIALING,     {Waiting for attendant                                                        response.}                                                       READY,       {Waiting for incoming call.}                                     C.sub.-- I.sub.-- P,                                                                       {Call in progress.}                                              NOT.sub.-- READY,                                                                          {Waiting for att. reacti-                                                     vation.}                                                         CIP.sub.-- HU,                                                                             {Attendant hung up on call                                                    in progress.}                                                    CIP.sub.-- I,                                                                              {Attendant disconnected on                                                    call in progress.}                                               WAIT.sub.-- NOOP,                                                                          {Waiting for attendant to                                                     drop.}                                                           TFERRED)     {Call is transferred.}                                 Req.sub.-- Type =                                                                       (NONE,       {No emergency or help re-                                                     quest pending.}                                                  EMER,        {Emergency request is                                                         pending.}                                                        HELP);       {Help request is pending.}                             TNum.sub.-- Type = string [14];                                               Line.sub.-- RecType = record                                                  state: State.sub.-- Type;                                                                         {The state of the card.}                                  status: Status.sub.-- Type;                                                                       {The sub-state of the                                                         card.}                                                    waiting,            {For one more scan for                                                        status.}                                                  busy,               {Line is hardware or                                                          software busied.}                                         calling,            {Are we calling with                                                          this card.}                                               sw.sub.-- busy: Boolean;                                                                          {Are we software-busied                                                       on this card.}                                            req: Req.sub.-- Type;                                                                             {Any help/emer re-                                                            quests pending.}                                          tnum: TNum.sub.-- Type;                                                                           {The telephone num-                                                           ber.}                                                     retries,            {Number retry attempts                                                        on this card.}                                            present,            {Card present counting                                                        flag.}                                                    a1,a2,              {The status A for the                                                         line.}                                                    b1,b2,: Integer;    {The status B for the                                                         line.}                                                    end;                                                                          Lines.sub.-- Type = array[1 . . . MAX.sub.-- LINES] of Line.sub.--            RecType;                                                                      Changer.sub.-- RecType = record                                               line.sub.-- no,     {Line number of change,                                                       0-no change.}                                             new.sub.-- a,       {The new status                                                               byte A.}                                                  new.sub.-- b: Integer;                                                                            {The new status                                                               byte B.}                                                  end;                                                                          Var                                                                           Scan.sub.-- Line.sub.-- Number,                                                                   {The line number we                                                           are scanning.}                                            Cur.sub.-- Mon.sub.-- Side,                                                                       {Which side of the line                                                       we are currently moni-                                                        toring.}                                                  Cur.sub.-- Mon.sub.-- Line: Integer;                                                              {The line we are cur-                                                         rently monitoring.}                                       Dumping: Boolean;   {Are we dumping the in-                                                       ternal database.}                                         Local.sub.-- Access,                                                                              {Number(s) to exit local                                                      PBX.}                                                     Local.sub.-- Area.sub.-- Code,                                                                    {The local area code.}                                    Emer.sub.-- Tele.sub.-- Num:TNum.sub.-- Type;                                                     {The emergency transfer                                                       number.}                                                  Noof.sub.-- Retries: Integer;                                                                     {Retry attendant how                                                          many times.}                                              Lines: Lines.sub.-- Type;                                                                         {The line database.}                                      Changer.sub.-- InBuf:                                                                             {The buffer from Scan-                                                        ner to Changer.}                                          Changer.sub.-- RecType;                                                       Changer.sub.-- Buf: Buf128;                                                                       {The internal buffer for                                                      Changer.}                                                 ______________________________________                                    

With respect to the database records, the foregoing declarations definethe fields and the possible values for each field. The possible valuesfor the state field are those listed in parentheses in the declarationof "State₋₋ Type"; that is, the possible values are NO₋₋ CARD or CALL orTFER₋₋ CALL or standby. The possible values for the status field arethose listed within parentheses in the declaration of "Status₋₋ Type";that is, HUNG₋₋ UP through TFERRED. The possible values for each of thewaiting field, the busy field, the calling field, and the sw₋₋ busyfield are Boolean; that is, either true or false. The possible valuesfor the req field (referred to below as the request field) are thoselisted within parentheses in the declaration of "Req₋₋ Type"; that is,NONE or EMER or HELP. The possible values for the tnum field include anystring up to fourteen characters long. The possible values for theremaining fields, viz, the retries, present, al, a2, b1, and b2 fields,include any integer.

With reference to FIG. 36, there will now be described the operationsfor processing supervisory commands received from supervisory computer3D. These operations begin in block 6A, are entered from block 35C (FIG.35), and exit to block 35E (FIG. 35). These operations involve a seriesof tests that correspond to a "case" programming control structure. Inthe case of a supervisory command to set or retrieve a phone number, theflow proceeds from block 36A to block 36B, in which controlling computer3C services incoming telephone number commands. The operations involvedin doing this are described below with reference to FIG. 37. In the caseof a line control command, the flow proceeds from block 36C to block36D, in which controlling computer 3C services line control commands.The operations involved in doing this are described below with referenceto FIG. 38. In the case of a monitor command, the flow proceeds fromblock 36E to block 36F, in which controlling computer 3C servicesmonitor control commands. The operations involved in doing this aredescribed below with reference to FIG. 41. In the case of aconfiguration command, the flow proceeds from block 36G to block 36H, inwhich controlling computer 3C services the configuration command. Theoperations involved in doing this are described below with reference toFIG. 42. In the case of a help or emergency command, the flow proceedsfrom block 36I to block 36J, in which controlling computer 3C servicesthe help and emergency commands. The operations involved in doing thisare described below with reference to FIG. 43.

With reference to FIG. 37, there will now be described the operationsinvolved in servicing incoming commands that affect telephone numbers.These operations begin in block 37A, are entered from block 36A (FIG.36), and exit to block 35E (FIG. 35). These operations involve a seriesof tests that correspond to a "case" programming control structure. Inthe case of a Get phone number command, the flow proceeds from block 37Ato block 37B, in which controlling computer 3C copies the current numberfor the line card (from the database record for the line card) into theinternal queue to transmit to supervisory computer 3D. In the case of aSet phone number command, the flow proceeds from block 37C to block 37D,in which controlling computer 3C copies the phone number from thecommand buffer into the database record for the line card. In the caseof a Set a row of phone numbers command, the flow proceeds from block37E to blocks 37F and 37G. In these blocks, controlling computer 3Cfinds the beginning and ending numbers for a row of line cards and, foreach such line card, sets the telephone number in the database recordfor the line card.

With reference to FIG. 38, there will now be described the operationsfor servicing line control commands. These operations begin in block38A. The flow enters block 38A from block 36C (FIG. 36) and exits toblock 35E (FIG. 35). In block 38A, controlling computer 3C finds thefirst and last line card numbers for the command. In the case of anactivate attendant command, the flow proceeds from block 38B to block38C, in which controlling computer 3C carries out operations describedbelow with reference to FIG. 39. In the case of a standby attendantcommand, the flow proceeds from block 38D to block 38E, in whichcontrolling computer 3C carries out operations described below withreference to FIG. 63. In the case of a deactivate attendant command, theflow proceeds from block 38F to 38G, in which controlling computer 3Ccarries out the operations described below with reference to FIG. 40. Inthe case of a busy caller supervisory command, the flow proceeds fromblock 38H to block 38I, in which controlling computer 3C issues a HW₋₋BUSY₋₋ CALLER command (which corresponds to CTL 12 in FIG. 21) to eachline card affected by the supervisory command and marks the databaserecord for each such line card as software busy. In the case of anUnbusy caller supervisory command, the flow proceeds from block 38J toblock 38K, in which controlling computer 3C issues the HW₋₋ SW₋₋ COND₋₋BUSY command (which corresponds to CTL 11 in FIG. 21) to each line cardaffected by the supervisory command and marks the database record foreach such affected line card as software unbusy. In the case of a cardinitialize supervisory command, the flow proceeds from block 38L toblock 38M, in which controlling computer 3C issues the HW₋₋ INITIALIZEcommand (which corresponds to CTL 8 in FIG. 21) to each line cardaffected by the supervisory command, and, for each affected line card,sets the fields of the database record for the line card to defaultvalues.

With reference to FIG. 39, there will now be described the operationsfor servicing a supervisory command to use at least one line card toactivate an attendant. These operations begin in block 39A, are enteredfrom block 38B (FIG. 38), and exit to block 35E (FIG. 35). In block 39A,the time delay, maximum waiting interval between calls, is set for thisparticular line. In block 39B, controlling computer 3C issues a HW₋₋BUSY₋₋ CALLER command to busy the caller side of the line. Thereafter,the flow proceeds to block 39B in which controlling computer 3Cdisconnects the current attendant, if any, with an HW₋₋ ON HOOK command,(which corresponds to CTL 10 in FIG. 21). Next, the flow proceeds toblock 39D, in which controlling computer 3C determines whether there isa phone number for this line. If so, controlling computer 3C downloadsthe telephone number in block 39E, then in block 39F issues an HW₋₋OFF₋₋ HOOK₋₋ DIAL command (which corresponds to CTL 9 in FIG. 21) tocause the line card to place a call. Next, the flow proceeds to block39G, in which controlling computer 3C sets the calling field of thedatabase record for the line card to true.

With reference to FIG. 40, there will now be described the operationsfor servicing a supervisory command to use at least one line card todeactivate an attendant. These operations begin in block 40A, areentered from block 38D (FIG. 38) and exit to block 35E (FIG. 35). Inblock 40A, controlling computer 3C issues a HW₋₋ BUSY₋₋ CALLER commandto busy the incoming line. Next, in block 40B controlling computer 3Cissues a HW₋₋ ON₋₋ HOOK command to deactivate the current attendant fromthe outgoing line for the card. Next, in block 40C controlling computer3C sets the calling field of the database record for the line card tofalse.

With reference to FIG. 41, there will now be described the operationsfor servicing supervisory commands to control monitor audio. Theseoperations begin in block 41A, are entered from block 36E (FIG. 36) andexit to block 35E (FIG. 35). In block 41A, controlling computer 3Cdetermines whether the supervisory command requires monitoring adifferent line card. If so, the flow proceeds to block 41B, in whichcontrolling computer 3C issues a HW₋₋ MON₋₋ OFF command (whichcorresponds to CTL 29 in FIG. 21) to disable the monitor on the currentline card, and then proceeds to block 41C. In block 41C, controllingcomputer 3C determines whether to monitor the attendant side of the linecard. If the attendant side of the line card is to be monitored, theflow proceeds to block 41D, in which controlling computer 3C issues aHW₋₋ MON₋₋ OPER command (which corresponds to CTL 20 and CTL 28 in FIG.21) to cause the line card to connect the monitor audio to the attendantside of the line card. Otherwise, the flow proceeds to block 41E, inwhich controlling computer 3C issues a HW₋₋ MON₋₋ CALLER command (whichcorresponds to CTL 21 and CTL 28 in FIG. 21) to monitor the caller sideof the line card. Next, the flow proceeds to block 41F, in whichcontrolling computer 3C updates variables to reflect which line card isthe current line card for monitoring and which side of the line card isbeing monitored.

With reference to FIGS. 42A and 42B, there will now be described theoperations for servicing configuration commands. These operations beginin block 42A, are entered from block 36G (FIG. 36), and exit to block35E (FIG. 35). In the case of a supervisory command to set the number ofretries, the flow proceeds from block 42A to block 42B, in whichcontrolling computer 3C sets the number of retries. In the case of a Setemergency transfer number, the flow proceeds from block 42C to block42D, in which controlling computer 3C sets the emergency number for thetransfers. In the case of a command to Set local area code, the flowproceeds from block 42E to block 42F, in which controlling computer 3Csets the local area code. In the case of a Set local PBX exit code, theflow proceeds from block 42G to block 42H, in which controlling computer3C sets digits to exit the local PBX to access outside lines.

With reference to FIG. 42B, in the case of a command to Get number ofretries, the flow proceeds from block 42I to block 42J, in whichcontrolling computer 3C puts the number of retries in the internal queuefor transmission to supervisory computer 3D. In the case of a Getemergency telephone number supervisory command, the flow proceeds fromblock 42K to block 42L, in which controlling computer 3C puts theemergency transfer number in the internal transmission queue. In thecase of a Get local area code command, the flow proceeds from block 42Mto block 42N, in which controlling computer 3C puts the local area codein the internal transmission queue. In the case of a Get local PBX exitcode, the flow proceeds from block 420 to block 42P, in whichcontrolling computer 3C puts the local exit code in the internaltransmission queue.

With reference to FIG. 43, there will now be described operationsinvolved in servicing help and emergency commands. These operationsbegin in block 43A, are entered from block 36I (FIG. 36) and exit toblock 35E (FIG. 35). In the case of a Transfer emergency supervisorycommand, the flow proceeds from block 43A to block 43B, in whichcontrolling computer 3C transfers a caller to the emergency telephonenumber by operations described below with reference to FIG. 44. In thecase of a Help or emergency serviced supervisory command, the flowproceeds from block 43C to blocks 43D through 43G. In these blocks,controlling computer 3C sets the request field of the database recordfor the line card to no request pending; turns monitor off to reconnectthe audio; monitors the current side of the current line card; andunbusies the line card so that calls can now be received.

With reference to FIG. 44, there will now be described the operationsinvolved in transferring the caller to the emergency telephone number.These operations begin in block 44A, are entered from block 43A (FIG.43), and exit to block 35E (FIG. 35). In block 44A, controlling computer3C determines whether there is a caller. (The caller may have hung upafter a request was made to transfer the caller.) Controlling computer3C makes this determination on the basis of status data returned fromthe line card. If the caller is still on line, the flow proceeds toblock 44B, in which controlling computer 3C determines whether thecurrent line card is being transferred. If it is not, the flow proceedsto block 44C and then to block 44D. Otherwise, the flow proceedsdirectly to block 44D. In block 44C, controlling computer 3C disablesthe monitor on the current line card. In block 44D, controlling computer3C changes the monitor to the caller side of the transferring line card.Next, the flow proceeds to block 44E, in which controlling computer 3Csends information to supervisory computer 3D to report on the new sideand line for the selected monitor audio. Next, the flow proceeds toblock 44F, in which controlling computer 3C disconnects the audiobetween a caller and the attendant. Next, the flow proceeds to block44G, in which controlling computer 3C determines whether an attendant ispresent on this line. (The attendant may have hung up.) Controllingcomputer 3C makes this determination on the basis of status datareturned from the line card. If the attendant is still on line, the flowproceeds to block 44H, in which controlling computer 3C issues a HW₋₋FLASH₋₋ DISCONN command (which corresponds to CTL 13 in FIG. 21) todisconnect the attendant. Next, the flow proceeds to block 44I, in whichcontrolling computer 3C updates the state/status fields for the databaserecord for the line card, to TFER₋₋ CALL/WAIT₋₋ NOOP. If the attendanthas hung up, the flow proceeds from block 44G to block 44J, in whichcontrolling computer 3C updates the state/status fields for the databaserecord for the line card, to TFER₋₋ CALL/HUNG₋₋ UP.

With reference to FIG. 45, there will now be described the operationsfor scanning line cards for status changes. These operations begin inblock 45A, and, as shown in FIG. 35, are entered from either block 35Cor block 35D, and exit to block 35F. In block 45A, controlling computer3C checks if the maximum waiting interval timer is running for this lineand whether or not it has reached or surpassed the waiting time limit.If the maximum waiting time limit has not been exceeded, then the flowproceeds to block 45B. If the waiting time limit has been exceeded, thenflow proceeds to block 45D where the controlling computer disconnectsthe line with the HW₋₋ ON₋₋ HOOK command. Then flow proceeds to line 45Ewhere the line is placed in standby by an HW₋₋ FWD₋₋ ARM command. Thetimer is then reset in block 45F and the flow proceeds to 45G. In block45G the state for that line is set to STANDBY, and then flow proceeds toblock 45J in which the controlling computer advances to the next linecard to scan. In block 45B, controlling computer 3C issues a command toforce the CTL 22 signal true to get status A data for the line cardcurrently being scanned. Next, in block 45C, controlling computer 3Cissues a command to force the CTL 4 signal true to get status B data forthe same line card. Next, in block 45H, controlling computer 3Cdetermines whether status A or status B data have changed or if it iswaiting to get status data from the line card. As soon as the status Aand status B data have been retrieved from the line card and it is foundthat a change has occurred, controlling computer 3C in block 45I recordsthe status change for further processing. Following block 45I or if nochange occurred to status A or status B data, the flow proceeds to block45J, in which controlling computer advances to the next line card toscan.

With reference to FIG. 46, there will now be described the operationsfor processing status changes in sending them to the supervisorycomputer. These operations begin in block 46A, and, as shown in FIG. 35,are entered from block 35E, and exit normally to block 35B. In the casea status change has occurred in data received from the line card, theflow proceeds from block 46A to block 46B, in which controlling computer3C carries out operations described below with reference to FIG. 47. Inthe case that dumping of status information to the supervisory computeris occurring, the flow proceeds from block 46C to block 46D, in whichoperations are carried out to dump the internal line database tosupervisory computer 3D in accord with operations described below withreference to FIG. 62. In the case that anything in the internal statusbuffer is ready to be transmitted, the flow proceeds from block 46E toblock 46F, in which controlling computer 3C determines whether one rowof line cards has been completely scanned and if the time has come totransmit information to supervisory computer 3D. If so, the flowproceeds to block 46G, in which controlling computer 3C copies theinternal status buffer into the transmit queue.

With reference to FIGS. 47A and 47B, there will now be described theoperations for processing changes from a scanned line card. Theseoperations begin in block 47A, and, as shown in FIG. 46, are enteredfrom block 46A and exit to block 46C. In the case that no line card ispresent in a slot, but the internal database kept by controllingcomputer 3C reflects there having been a card present in such slotbefore, the flow proceeds from block 47A to block 47B, in whichcontrolling computer 3C updates the database record for the line card bymarking the state field as NO₋₋ CARD, because the card is now absent. Inthe case that a line card now is present in the slot where one was notpresent before, the flow proceeds from block 47C to block 47D, in whichcontrolling computer 3C initializes the card and updates the databaserecord for the line card. In the case that the line card is in a HUNG₋₋UP status and not in a two second on-hook delay, the flow proceeds fromblock 47E to block 47F, in which controlling computer 3C performsoperations necessitated by the outgoing line being back on hook, whichare described below with reference to FIG. 48. In the case that any DTMFstatus information has been returned, the flow proceeds from block 47Gto block 47H, in which controlling computer 3C processes the DTMF statusin accord with operations described below with reference to FIG. 49. Inthe case that the status indicates that the line has gone busy, the flowproceeds from block 47I to block 47J, in which controlling computer 3Cprocesses the line going busy by reporting this information to thesupervisory computer and assigns a true value to the busy field of thedatabase record for the line card. In the case that the status datareceived indicate that the line has gone unbusy, the flow proceeds fromblock 47K to block 47L, in which controlling computer 3C processes theline card going unbusy by sending the appropriate information tosupervisory computer 3D and assigns a false value to the busy field forthe database record for this line card.

With reference to FIG. 47B, in the case that the status data indicatethat the caller has connected, the flow proceeds from block 47M to block47N. Since the call has been connected to an attendant, then we stop themaximum waiting interval timer for this line in block 47N. The flow thenproceeds to block 470 in which controlling computer 3C processes thecaller connection by changing the status field of the database recordfor the line card to C₋₋ I₋₋ P (i.e., call in progress). In the casethat the status data returned indicate that the caller has hung up, theflow proceeds from block 47P to block 47Q. In block 47Q, the waitinginterval timer is cleared and restarted for this line. Flow thenproceeds to block 47R in which controlling computer 3C processes this bycarrying out operations described below with reference to FIG. 56. Next,in block 47S, controlling computer 3C finds the attendant-present statuschange by monitoring to detect a change in the status return of operatorcurrent (oc) which is indicated by a change in binary value of the STA 1signal (FIG. 22). Next, in block 47T, controlling computer 3C finds achange in status in the Off-Hook-to-attendant status (oh) by monitoringfor a change in the binary value of the CTL 55 signal (FIG. 22). Next,in block 47U, controlling computer 3C determines whether the waitingfield of the database record for the line card is true and if theoperator current is not equal to the On-Hook status; and, if so,controlling computer 3C in block 47C assigns the true value to thewaiting field. If not, the flow proceeds to block 47W, in whichcontrolling computer 3C determines whether attendant current is nowpresent. It makes this determination on the basis of the STA 1 signal(FIG. 22) that is returned as part of a status word from the line card.If attendant current is now present, the flow proceeds to block 47X;otherwise, it proceeds to block 47Y. In block 47X, controlling computer3C sets the status field of the database record for the line card toDIALING. In block 47Y, controlling computer 3C determines whetherattendant current is now absent. If it is, the flow proceeds to block47Z; otherwise, it proceeds to block 47AA. In block 47Z, controllingcomputer 3C performs operations occasioned by the attendant's havinghung up, as described below with reference to FIG. 59. In block 47AA,controlling computer 3C updates the status field of the database recordfor the line card for use in later comparison operations, and assigns afalse value to the waiting field.

With reference to FIG. 48, there will now be described the operationscarried out in block 47F (FIG. 47) upon the outgoing line having gone onhook. In the case that the state field of the database record for theline card is TFER₋₋ CALL, the flow proceeds from block 48A to blocks48B, 48C, and 48D. In block 48B, controlling computer 3C changes thestatus field for the database record for the line card to IDLE. In block48C, controlling computer 3C downloads the emergency telephone number tothe line card. In block 48D, controlling computer 3C issues a HW₋₋FLASH₋₋ CONNECT command (which corresponds to CTL 14 in FIG. 21) tocause the line card to place a call to the emergency telephone number.In the case that the state field of the database record for the linecard is CALL, the flow proceeds from block 48E to block 48F, in whichcontrolling computer 3C changes the status field of the database recordof the line card to IDLE. Next, in block 48G, controlling computer 3Cdetermines whether the line card is present, whether there is a phonenumber for this line card to dial, and whether this line card is in use(as indicated by the Boolean value of the calling field of the databaserecord for the line card). If so, the flow proceeds to block 48H, inwhich controlling computer 3C compares the number of retries that havebeen made against the global parameter applicable to the number ofretries to make. Upon determining to make another retry, controllingcomputer 3C in block 48I downloads the telephone number, and in block48J issues a HW₋₋ OFF₋₋ HOOK DIAL command to cause the line card toplace the call. If controlling computer 3C finds in block 48H that themaximum number of retries have already been made, the flow proceeds toblock 48K, in which controlling computer 3C sends information tosupervisory computer 3D as to the lack of an attendant, and assigns afalse value to the calling field of the database record for the linecard, so as to indicate it is unused.

With reference to FIG. 49, there will now be described the operationscarried out in block 47H (FIG. 47), to process DTMF status. In the caseof a DTMF HELP request, the flow proceeds from block 49A to block 49B,in which controlling computer 3C services the DTMF HELP request inaccord with operations described below with reference to FIG. 50. In thecase of a DTMF CANCEL request, the flow proceeds from block 49C to block49D, in which controlling computer 3C services the DTMF CANCEL requestto cancel either help or emergency in accord with operations describedbelow with reference to FIG. 51. In the case of a DTMF EMERGENCYrequest, the flow proceeds from block 49E to block 49F, in whichcontrolling computer 3C services the DTMF EMERGENCY request in accordwith operations described below with reference to FIG. 52. In the caseof a DTMF STATUS indicating that an attendant has refused calls, theflow proceeds from block 49G to block 49H, in which controlling computer3C performs operations described below with reference to FIG. 53. In thecase of a DTMF status indicating that an attendant is ready for a call,the flow proceeds from block 49I to block 49J, in which controllingcomputer 3C services the DTMF activation for another call in accord withoperations described below with reference to FIG. 54. In the case of aDTMF status indicating an emergency response, the flow proceeds fromblock 49K to block 49L, in which controlling computer 3C services theDTMF emergency servicer response in accord with operations describedbelow with reference to FIG. 55.

With reference to FIG. 50, there will now be described the operationscarried out in block 49B (FIG. 49). In the case that the state field ofthe database record for the line card is TFER₋₋ CALL, the flow proceedsfrom block 50A to block 50B, in which controlling computer 3C issues aDTMF CANCEL in test mode, to reconnect the audio. In the case that thestate field for the database record for the line card is CALL, the flowproceeds from block 50C to block 50D, in which controlling computer 3Cdetermines whether an attendant is on-line. If so, the flow proceedsfrom block 50E, in which controlling computer 3C determines whether anyhelp or emergency request is pending, and whether there is no caller. Ifso, the flow proceeds from block 50E to block 50F, and then to block50G; otherwise, the flow proceeds directly to block 50G. In block 50(F),controlling computer 3C issues the command to software busy the incomingline to the line card and assigns a true value to the sw₋₋ busy field ofthe database record for the line card. In block 50G, controllingcomputer 3C determines whether the status field for the database recordfor the line card is DIALING. If it is, the flow proceeds from block 50Gto block 50H, and then to block 50I; otherwise, the flow proceedsdirectly to block 50I. In block 50H, controlling computer 3C issues aDTMF CANCEL command in test mode so as to reconnect the audio. In block50I, controlling computer 3C reports data to supervisory computer 3D toalert it of the pending help request.

With reference to FIG. 51, there will now be described the operationscarried out in block 49D (FIG. 49). In block 51A, controlling computer3C determines whether an attendant is on-line. If so, the flow proceedsto block 51B, in which controlling computer 3C determines whether acaller is on-line. If not, the flow proceeds from block 51B to block51C, and then to block 51D; otherwise, the flow proceeds directly toblock 51D. In block 51C, controlling computer 3C issues the command tosoftware unbusy the incoming line for the line card and assigns a falsevalue to the sw₋₋ busy field of the database record for the line card.In block 51D, controlling computer 3C sends data to supervisory computer3D as to the cancellation.

With reference to FIG. 52, there will now be described the operationscarried out in block 49F (FIG. 49). In block 52A, controlling computer3C determines whether an attendant is on-line. If so, the flow proceedsto block 52B, in which controlling computer 3C determines whether thereis a help request currently pending. If so, the flow proceeds to block52C, in which controlling computer 3C issues a DTMF CANCEL command intest mode so as to reconnect the audio. Otherwise, the flow proceeds toblock 52D, in which controlling computer 3C determines whether a calleris on-line. If not, the flow proceeds to block 52E, in which controllingcomputer 3C issues the command to software busy the incoming line forthe line card and assigns a true value to the sw₋₋ busy field of thedatabase record for the line card. After block 52C, 52E, and 52D (if acaller is on-line), the flow proceeds to block 52F, in which controllingcomputer 3C sends information to supervisory computer 3D as to theemergency request.

With reference to FIG. 53, there will now be described the operationscarried out in block 49H (FIG. 49). In the case that the state field ofthe database record for the line card is TFER₋₋ CALL, the flow proceedsfrom block 53A to block 53B, and then to blocks 53C, 53D, and 53E;otherwise, the flow proceeds to block 53F. In block 53B, controllingcomputer 3C issues the command to busy the incoming line for the linecard. In block 53C, controlling computer 3C cancels the help/emergencyrequest to supervisory computer 3D. In block 53D, controlling computer3C sends information to supervisory computer 3D as to the attendanthaving refused calls. In block 53E, controlling computer 3C updates thestates/status fields of the database record for the line card toCALL/IDLE. In block 53F, controlling computer 3C determines whether thestate field of the database record for the line card is CALL. If it is,the flow proceeds to block 53G, in which controlling computer 3Cdetermines whether an attendant is on-line. If so, the flow proceeds toblock 53H, in which controlling computer 3C determines whether there isa pending help or emergency request, and whether no caller is on-line.If so, the flow proceeds to block 53I, and then to block 53J; otherwise,the flow proceeds directly to block 53J. In block 53I, controllingcomputer 3C issues the command to busy the incoming line for the linecard. In block 53J, controlling computer 3C sends information tosupervisory computer 3D as to the attendant having refused calls. Next,in block 53K, controlling computer 3C changes the status field in thedatabase record for the line card to IDLE. Next, in block 53L,controlling computer 3C determines whether there is a pending help oremergency request. If so, the flow proceeds to block 53M, in whichcontrolling computer 3C sends information to supervisory computer 3D tocancel the help/emergency requests.

With reference to FIGS. 54A and 54B, there will now be described theoperations carried out in block 49J, for recognizing a DTMF activationfor another call. In block 54A, controlling computer 3C determineswhether the state is TFER₋₋ CALL. If it is, the flow proceeds to block54B, in which controlling computer issues the digitally coded command tocause the line card to busy out the caller side of the line. Next, inblock 54C, controlling computer 3C cancels the emergency request to thesupervisory computer. Next, in block 54D, controlling computer 3Cchanges the state/status in its internal records to CALL/HUNG₋₋ UP.Next, in block 54E, controlling computer 3C determines whether the linecard outgoing station connection controller is off-hook and not in a twosecond delay. If it is, the flow proceeds to block 54F, in whichcontrolling computer 3C issues the command to hang up the attendant witha HW₋₋ ON₋₋ HOOK command. Following block 54A if the state is not TFER₋₋CALL, the flow proceeds to block 54G, in which controlling computer 3Cdetermines whether the state is CALL. If it is, the flow proceeds toblock 54H, in which controlling computer 3C determines whether thestatus is DIALING. If it is, the flow proceeds to block 54J, in whichcontrolling computer 3C resets the "try again" variable to initialize itfor retry counts in the future. Next, in block 54L, controlling computer3C issues the digitally coded command to unbusy the incoming line bysending the HW₋₋ SW₋₋ COND₋₋ UNBUSY command. Next, in block 54M,controlling computer 3C updates the status record for the respectiveline card by setting the status to READY. If in block 54H controllingcomputer 3C determines that the status is not DIALING, the flow proceedsto block 54I, in which controlling computer 3C determines whether thestatus is either NOT₋₋ READY or C₋₋ I₋₋ P. If it is in either status,the flow proceeds to block 54K, in which controlling computer 3C updatesthe status record to indicate that this line card is READY.

In block 54G, if the state is not CALL, the flow proceeds to block 54N,in which controlling computer 3C determines whether the state isSTANDBY. If the state is not STANDBY, then flow proceeds to block 540where the state is changed to CALL. After block 540, the flow proceedsto 54P. Following block 540, the flow proceeds to block 54P, in whichcontrolling computer 3C determines whether the status is DIALING. If itis, the flow proceeds to block 54Q in which controlling computer 3Cupdates the status record to indicate the line card is ready.

With reference to FIG. 55, there now be described the operations carriedout in block 49L, for servicing DTMF emergency servicer response. Inblock 55A, controlling computer 3C determines whether the states/statusis TFER₋₋ CALL/DIALING. If it is, the flow proceeds to block 55B, inwhich controlling computer 3C changes the status field of the databaserecord for the line card to TFERRED.

With reference to FIG. 56, there will now be described the operationscarried out in block 47P, after controlling computer 3C determines thata caller has hung up. In block 56A, controlling computer 3C determineswhether the state is TFER₋₋ CALL. If it is, the flow proceeds to block56B, in which controlling computer 3C performs operations describedbelow with reference to FIG. 57. In the case that controlling computer3C determines that the state is not TFER₋₋ CALL, the flow proceeds toblock 56C, in which controlling computer 3C determines whether the stateis CALL. If so, the flow proceeds to block 56D, in which controllingcomputer 3C performs operations described below with reference to FIG.58.

With reference to FIG. 57, there will now be described the operationscarried out in block 56B, after controlling computer 3C determines thatthe caller has hung up during the course of a transfer operation. Inblock 57A, controlling computer 3C issues a HW₋₋ BUSY caller command tothe line card to busy out the incoming line. Next, in block 57B,controlling computer 3C cancels the pending emergency request in thesupervisory computer 3D. Next, in block 57C, controlling computer 3Cdetermines whether the status is WAIT₋₋ NOOP or HUNG₋₋ UP. If it is, theflow proceeds to block 57D, in which controlling computer 3C determineswhether the two-second on-hook delay is in progress. If it is, the flowproceeds to block 57E, in which controlling computer 3C updates itsinternal records for state/status to CALL/HUNG₋₋ UP. If the two-secondon-hook delay is not in progress, following block 57D, the flow proceedsto block 57F, in which controlling computer 3C changes the state/statusfields of the database record for the line card to CALL/IDLE. Next, inblock 57G, controlling computer recalls the attendant in accord with theoperations described above with reference to FIG. 48. If during block57C controlling computer 3C determines that the status is neither WAIT₋₋NOOP nor HUNG₋₋ UP, the flow proceeds to block 57H, in which controllingcomputer 3C determines whether the line card is off-hook to theattendant. If it is, the flow proceeds to block 57I, in whichcontrolling computer 3C changes the state/status fields of the databaserecord for the line card to CALL/HUNG₋₋ UP. Next, in block 57J,controlling computer 3C issues a HW₋₋ ON₋₋ HOOK command to causedisconnection of the attendant. If in block 57H controlling computer 3Cdetermines that the line card is not off-hook to the attendant, the flowproceeds to block 57K, in which controlling computer 3C changes thestate/status fields of the database record for the line card toCALL/IDLE. Next, in block 57L, controlling computer 3C proceeds torecall the attendant in accord with the operations described above withreference to FIG. 48.

With reference to FIG. 58, there will now be described the operationscarried out in block 56D, after controlling computer 3C determines thata caller has hung up during a normal call. In block 58A, controllingcomputer 3C determines whether the status is C₋₋ I₋₋ P. If so, the flowproceeds to block 58B, in which controlling computer 3C determineswhether a help or emergency request has been made. If so, the flowproceeds to block 58C, in which controlling computer 3C issues an HW₋₋BUSY₋₋ CALLER command to busy out the incoming line on the line card andthen proceeds to block 58D, in which controlling computer 3C changes thestatus field of the database record for this line card to NOT₋₋ READY.If in block 58A controlling computer 3C determines that the status isnot C₋₋ I₋₋ P, the flow proceeds to block 58E, in which controllingcomputer 3C determines whether an attendant has his station connected tothe outgoing line for the line card. If not, the flow proceeds to block58F, in which controlling computer 3C issues an HW₋₋ BUSY₋₋ CALLERcommand so as to busy out the incoming line for the line card. Next, inblock 58G, controlling computer 3C determines whether the attendant hashung up. If so, the flow proceeds to block 58H, in which controllingcomputer 3C changes the status field of the database record for thisline card to HUNG₋₋ UP. Next, in block 58I, controlling computer 3Cissues an HW₋₋ ON₋₋ HOOK command so as to disconnect the outgoing line.If in block 58G controlling computer 3C determines that the attendanthas not hung up, the flow proceeds to block 58J, in which controllingcomputer 3C changes the status field of the database record for the linecard to IDLE. Next, in block 58K, controlling computer 3C proceeds torecall an attendant in accord with the operations described above withreference to FIG. 48.

With reference to FIG. 59, there will now be described the operationscarried out after controlling computer 3C determines that an attendanthas hung up. In the case that the state is TFER₋₋ CALL, the flowproceeds from block 59A, to block 59B, in which controlling computer 3Cperforms operations described below with reference to FIG. 60. In thecase that the state is CALL, the flow proceeds from block 59C, to block59D, in which controlling computer 3C performs the operations describedbelow with reference to FIG. 61.

With reference to FIGS. 60A and 60B, there will now be described theoperations carried out in block 59B, after controlling computer 3Cdetermines that an attendant has hung up during a transfer (the statebeing TFER₋₋ CALL). In the case that the status is WAIT₋₋ NOOP, the flowproceeds from block 60A to block 60B, in which controlling computer 3Cdetermines whether the two-second delay is in progress. If not, the flowproceeds to block 60C, in which controlling computer 3C changes thestatus field for the database record for the line card to IDLE. Next, inblock 60D, controlling computer 3C performs the operations required tocall the emergency number in accord with the flow described above withreference to FIG. 48. If controlling computer 3C determines in block 60Bthat the two-second delay has not elapsed, the flow proceeds to block60E, in which controlling computer 3C changes the status field ofdatabase record for the line card to HUNG₋₋ UP. In the case that thestatus is not WAIT₋₋ NOOP, but the status is DIALING, the flow proceedsfrom block 60F, to block 60G, in which controlling computer 3Cdetermines whether the outgoing line for this line card is off-hook. Ifit is, the flow proceeds to block 60H, in which controlling computer 3Cchanges the status field of the database record for the line card toHUNG₋₋ UP. Next, in block 60I, controlling computer 3C issues a HW₋₋FLASH₋₋ DISCONN command to disconnect the attendant. If in block 60Gcontrolling computer 3C determines that the hook switch simulatingswitch for the outgoing line for the line card is not off-hook, the flowproceeds to block 60J, in which controlling computer 3C changes thestatus field of the database record for the line card to IDLE. Next, theflow proceeds to block 60K, in which controlling computer 3C cooperateswith the line card to place a call to the emergency number in accordwith operations described above with reference to FIG. 48.

With reference to FIG. 60B, in the case of the status field beingTFERRED, the flow proceeds from block 60L to block 60M, in whichcontrolling computer 3C issues a HW₋₋ BUSY₋₋ CALLER command to busy theincoming line for the line card. Next, in block 60N, controllingcomputer 3C communicates with supervisory computer 3D to cancel theemergency request. Next, in block 600, controlling computer 3C issues aDTMF ACTIVATE command in test mode to drop the caller. Next, the flowproceeds to block 60P, in which controlling computer 3C determineswhether the hook switch simulating switch for the outgoing line isoff-hook. If so, the flow proceeds to block 60Q; otherwise, it proceedsto block 60R. In block 60Q, controlling computer 3C updates the databaserecord for the line card so that the state/status fields are markedCALL/HUNG₋₋ UP. Next, in block 60S, controlling computer 3C issues aHW₋₋ ON₋₋ HOOK command to disconnect the attendant. In block 60R,controlling computer 3C updates the database record for the line card sothat the state/status fields are marked CALL/IDLE. Next, in block 60T,controlling computer 3C performs the operations required to recall theattendant in accordance with the flow described above with reference toFIG. 48.

With reference to FIGS. 61A and 61B, there will now be described theoperations carried out when an attendant has hung up on a normal call.These operations begin in block 61A, are entered from block 59C (FIG.59), and exit to block 47(Y). In the case of the status for the linecard being DIALING, the flow proceeds from block 61A to block 61B, inwhich controlling computer 3C updates the database record for the linecard so that the status is marked IDLE. Next, in block 61C, controllingcomputer 3C performs the operations required to recall the attendant inaccordance with the flow described above with reference to FIG. 48. Inthe case of the status for the line card being either NOT₋₋ READY orREADY, the flow proceeds from block 61D to block 61E, in whichcontrolling computer 3C determines whether a help or emergency requestis pending. If so, the flow proceeds from block 61F to block 61G;otherwise, it proceeds directly to block 61G. In block 61F, controllingcomputer 3C issues a HW₋₋ BUSY₋₋ CALLER command to busy out the incomingline to the line card. In block 61G, controlling computer 3C determineswhether the hook switch simulating switch for the outgoing line isoff-hook. If so, the flow proceeds to blocks 61H and 61I; otherwise, itproceeds to block 61J and 61K. In block 61H, controlling computer 3Cupdates the database record for the line card so that the status fieldis marked HUNG₋₋ UP. In block 61I, controlling computer 3C issues a HW₋₋ON₋₋ HOOK command to put the outgoing line back on-hook. In block 61J,controlling computer 3C updates the database record for the line card sothat the status field is marked IDLE. In block 61K, controlling computer3C performs the operations required to recall the attendant, in accordwith the flow described above with reference to FIG. 48.

With reference to FIG. 61B, in the case of the status for the line cardbeing C₋₋ I₋₋ P, the flow proceeds from block 61L to block 61M, in whichcontrolling computer 3C determines whether a help or emergency requestis pending. If either is pending, the flow proceeds to block 61N, inwhich controlling computer 3C determines whether the hook switchsimulating switch for the outgoing line is off-hook. If it is, the flowproceeds to block 610; otherwise, it proceeds to block 61P. In block610, controlling computer 3C updates the database record for the linecard so that the status field is marked CIP₋₋ HU. In block 61P,controlling computer 3C updates the database record for the line card sothat the status field is marked CIP₋₋ I. If in block 61M controllingcomputer 3C determines that there is neither a help nor emergencyrequest pending, the flow proceeds to block 61Q, in which controllingcomputer 3C issues a HW₋₋ BUSY₋₋ CALLER command to busy out the incomingline. Next, in block 61R, controlling computer 3C issues a DTMF ACTIVATEcommand in test mode to drop the caller. Next, in block 61S, controllingcomputer 3C determines whether the hook switch simulating switch for theoutgoing line is off-hook. If it is, the flow proceeds to blocks 61T and61U; otherwise, it proceeds to blocks 61V and 61W. In block 61T,controlling computer 3C updates the database record for the line card sothat the status field is marked HUNG₋₋ UP. Next, in block 61V,controlling computer 3C issues a HW₋₋ ON₋₋ HOOK command to put theoutgoing line back on-hook. In block 61V, controlling computer 3Cupdates the database record for the line card so that the status fieldis marked IDLE. Next, in block 61W, controlling computer 3C performs theoperations required to recall the attendant in accord with the flowdescribed above with reference to FIG. 48.

With reference to FIG. 62, there will now be described the operationscarried out to dump the internal database for the line cards fromcontrolling computer 3C to supervisory computer 3D. These operationsbegin in block 62A, are entered from block 46C (FIG. 46), and exit toblock 46E (FIG. 46). In block 62A, controlling computer 3C determineswhether all line cards have been scanned at least once. If so, the flowproceeds to block 62B, in which controlling computer 3C fills the bufferto transmit the status of the line cards, any help or emergencyrequests, and the current line card and the current side of the currentline card. Next, in block 62C, controlling computer 3C puts the bufferinto the queue to transmit to supervisory computer 3D.

With reference to FIG. 63, there will now be described the operationscarried out in servicing the standby attendant command for the linecards. These operations begin in block 63A, are entered from block 38E(FIG. 38) and exit to block 35E (FIG. 35). In block 63A the maximumwaiting interval time is set for the line being serviced. Flow proceedsto block 63B where controlling computer 3C disconnects the currentattendant, if any with a HW₋₋ ON₋₋ HOOK command. After block 63B, flowproceeds to block 63C in which controlling computer 3C checks to see ifthere is a phone number assigned to this line card. If there is, flowproceeds to 63D where the phone number is downloaded from controllingcomputer 3C to the line card. After block 63D, flow proceeds to block63E where the line is placed on standby with a HW₋₋ FWD₋₋ ARM command.Next flow proceeds from block 63E to block 63F where the internal recordfor this card is set to reflect the changes made.

The foregoing detailed description discloses the construction andoperation of the presently preferred embodiment from the perspective ofDynamic Call Streaming. Through the timing of the waiting intervalbetween calls, the system is able to automatically place attendants onstandby when their waiting time has met or exceeded the preset maximumand when the next incoming call arrives that attendent which had beenplaced on standby can then be re-established as an attendant on thenetwork. The supervisor is also able to dynamically alter the maximumwaiting interval for any given attendant or group of attendants or forthe whole system. By such means, the network of attendants is able toautomatically be controlled to conform to the level of incoming calltraffic.

To provide an additional perspective of the presently preferredembodiment, there will now be set forth a summary of operations carriedout by the system in its highly advantageous mode of automaticallyplacing attendants on standby and activating the attendant as soon asanother incoming call arrives.

A. The telephone number for the attendant's multi-purpose station isprovided in one of two ways:

1. The supervisor enters the telephone number manually, or

2. The telephone number is loaded into the system from a shift disk.

B. The supervisor enters the maximum waiting interval by setting orselecting the timer which defines the maximum waiting interval for anattendant (see FIGS. 25 and 32B).

C. The supervisor enters the supervisory command to activate the linecard, such that it can be used to respond to incoming calls.

D. The supervisory computer sends the telephone number for the line cardto the controlling computer.

E. The controlling computer stores the number in the tnum field of thedatabase record for the line card.

F. The supervisory computer sends to the controlling computer thesupervisory command to call the attendant.

G. The controlling computer sends the commands to the line card tosoftware busy the incoming line and to disconnect the attendant, if any(see FIG. 39).

H. The line card hardware records the receipt of the commands and, ifthere is a call in progress, defers executing the commands, and thenperforms the commands when there is no longer a call in progress (seeFIGS. 18 and 19).

I. The controlling computer downloads the telephone number to the linecard and commands the line card to go off hook and dial the number (seeFIG. 39).

J. The line card hardware records the receipt of the off hook and dialcommand, and if there is a call in progress, defers executing thecommand until there is no longer a call in progress (see FIG. 18).

K. Hardware off hook sequence (see FIG. 18):

1. 1/2 sec--draw dial tone.

2. 1 sec--dwell.

3. 2 sec--DTMF number dial.

4. 30 sec--activation timer.

L. Software senses the outgoing line going off hook and dialing andchanges the displayed status to "DIALING," (see FIG. 47B).

M. Activation by the attendant or no activation.

1. Activation.

a. Hardware ends the activation timer and hardware unbusies the incomingline (see FIGS. 18 and 19).

b. Music is played to the attendant.

c. Software senses the activation from the DTMF status returned andsoftware unbusies the incoming line (see FIG. 54).

d. Software displays the status as "READY" for an incoming call.

2. Activation Timer ends with no activation.

a. Line card resets and the call is ended.

b. Software senses the outgoing line is back on hook and possibly willretry (F, G, H, I, J, K, and L) the activation (see FIGS. 47A and 48)

c. Software displays the status as incoming line is "BUSY".

N. Hardware senses incoming ring.

1. Two second prompt tone.

2. Incoming and outgoing lines connect through switch 14C.

3. Software senses the incoming call and changes the displayed status to"C₋₋ I₋₋ P" (see FIG. 47B).

O. End of call--two ways:

1. Caller hangs up.

a. The incoming line is hardware busied.

b. Software senses the loss of caller and changes the displayed statusto "NOT READY" (see FIGS. 47B, 56 and 58).

c. The attendant reactivates with a DTMF tone.

d. The line card hardware unbusies the incoming line upon reactivation(see FIGS. 19 and 20).

e. Music is played to the attendant.

f. Software senses the DTMF status and, based on the DTMF reactivation,changes the displayed status to "READY" (see FIG. 54).

g. Timer for waiting interval between calls starts to function.

2. Attendant activation.

a. The caller is dropped.

b. Unbusy is maintained on the incoming line.

c. Music is played to the attendant.

d. Software senses the loss of the caller and the activation by theattendant and changes the displayed status to "READY" (see FIGS. 47A,49, and 54).

N and 0 repeated upon each incoming call.

P. Controlling computer checks waiting interval timer to see if maximumwaiting interval has been met or exceeded.

1. If maximum waiting interval has not been exceeded attendant statusremains "READY".

2. If maximum waiting interval has been met or exceeded, attendantreceives message after music on hold has been stopped.

3. Hang up occurs at the end of the message.

4. Software senses the loss of the attendant and changes the displaystatus to "standby."

Q. As soon as the hardware senses incoming ring, the controllingcomputer repeats the sequence of events starting in "I." up above.

R. On hook on the outgoing line--two ways:

1. On hook command issued by software.

a. The incoming line is hardware and software busied at the end of thepresent call.

b. Message 2 played (synchronized).

c. Hang up occurs at the end of the message.

d. Software senses the loss of the attendant and changes the displayedstatus to "IDLE" (see FIGS. 47B, 59, and 61).

2. Attendant hangs up.

a. The incoming line is busied by the hardware.

b. The line card is reset and the outgoing line is hung up.

c. The software senses the loss of the attendant and changes the displaystatus to "IDLE" (see FIGS. 47B, 59, and 61).

d. The incoming line is software busied.

e. The software may try to reconnect the attendant (see FIG. 48).

We claim:
 1. A telecommunications control system for accepting aplurality of multi-purpose stations on the public switched network foruse as remote attendant stations in an attendant service complex toservice calls directed to the system from originating stations, thesystem comprising:a first plurality of station connection controllers,each station connection controller in the first plurality forcooperating with a respective one of a plurality of multi-purposestations in defining opposite ends of a call connection path, and eachsuch station connection controller having controllable switching meansfor opening the call connection path and releasing the respectivemulti-purpose station; a second plurality of station connectioncontrollers, each station connection controller in the second pluralityfor cooperating with a respective one of a plurality of originatingstations in defining opposite ends of call connection path; controllableinter-connection means arranged between the first and second pluralityof station connection controllers; means for controlling theinter-connection means such that incoming calls from originatingstations are extended to multi-purpose stations that have been acceptedas attendant stations; and means for measuring the interval of timebetween incoming calls for each of the second plurality of stationconnection controllers, during which interval of time the remoteattendant is online.
 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the meansfor measuring the interval of time between incoming calls includes meansfor determining when the interval of time between incoming calls has metor exceeded a preset value.
 3. A system according to claim 2, whereinthe means for measuring the interval of time between incoming callsincludes means for producing a logic signal for controlling theswitching means and releasing the multi-purpose station, whereby theremote attendant is disconnected.
 4. A telecommunications control systemfor networking a plurality of multi-purpose telephone stations on thepublic switched network for use as remote attendant stations in anattendant service complex to service calls directed to the system fromoriginating stations, the system comprising:a first plurality of stationconnection controllers, each station connection controller in the firstplurality for cooperating with a respective one of a plurality ofmulti-purpose stations in defining opposite ends of a call connectionpath; a second plurality of station connection controllers, each stationconnection controller in the second plurality for cooperating with arespective one of a plurality of originating stations in definingopposite ends of a call connection path; controllable inter-connectionmeans arranged between the first and second plurality of stationconnection controllers; means for controlling the inter-connection meanssuch that incoming calls from originating stations are extended tomulti-purpose stations that have been networked for use as attendantstations, and wherein the means for controlling the inter-connectionmeans includes means for causing a plurality of incoming calls to beextended to the same multi-purpose station during an interval throughoutwhich the multi-purpose station remains networked as an attendantstation; and means for measuring the interval of time between incomingcalls for each of the second plurality of station connectioncontrollers, during which interval of time the remote attendant isonline.
 5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the means formeasuring the interval of time between incoming calls includes means fordetermining when the interval of time between incoming calls has met orexceeded a preset value.
 6. A system according to claim 5, wherein themeans for measuring the interval of time between incoming calls includesmeans for producing a logic signal for controlling the switching meansand releasing the multi-purpose station, whereby the remote attendant isdisconnected.
 7. A telecommunications control system for selectivelynetworking a plurality of multi-purpose telephone stations on the publicswitched network for use as remote attendant stations in an attendantservice complex to service calls directed to the system from originatingstations, the system comprising:first controllable means comprising aplurality of outgoing line connection controllers, each outgoing lineconnection controller for cooperating with a respective one of aplurality of multi-purpose stations in defining opposite ends of a callconnection path; second controllable means comprising a plurality ofincoming line connection controllers, each incoming line stationconnection controller for cooperating with a respective one of aplurality of originating stations in defining opposite ends of a callconnection path, and each including means for detecting a ringing signalindicating a request to establish a call connection path for an incomingcall; third controllable means comprising a plurality of controllableinter-connection means, each arranged between an incoming line stationconnection controller and an outgoing line station connectioncontroller; fourth controllable means for originating calls from thesystem to the multi-purpose stations via the outgoing line stationconnection controllers; and means for controlling the first, second,third, and fourth controllable means in a predetermined sequence ofoperations initiated by the detection of a ringing signal, in whichsequence of operations a call is originated to a multi-purpose stationwhile the ringing signal is present so as to be unnoticeable to a personusing the originating station, and after completion of the call to themulti-purpose station, the incoming call is answered and extended to themulti-purpose station by completing the incoming call at the incomingline station connection controller and extending the call to theoutgoing line station connection controller via the inter-connectionmeans; and means for measuring the interval of time between incomingcalls for each of the plurality of incoming line connection controllers,during which interval of time the remote attendant is online.
 8. Asystem according to claim 7, wherein the means for measuring theinterval of time between incoming calls includes means for determiningwhen the interval of time between incoming calls has met or exceeded apreset value.
 9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the means formeasuring the interval of time between incoming calls includes means forproducing a logic signal for controlling the switching means andreleasing the multi-purpose station, whereby the remote attendant isdisconnected.
 10. A computer-controlled system connectable between a setof incoming lines and a set of outgoing lines for using the outgoinglines to establish a network of multi-purpose stations on the publicswitched network for use by remote service attendants in servicingincoming calls directed to the system from originating stations via theincoming lines, the system comprising:controllable call extending meansfor connection between the incoming lines and the outgoing lines;computer processing means for controlling the controllable callextending means; the computer processing means including means providingdigitally coded commands to control the call extending means and thecall extending means including means providing status data to thecomputer processing means so the call extending means provides forextending incoming calls for answer and service by the serviceattendants; and the computer processing means including means formeasuring the interval of time between incoming calls for each of theset of incoming lines, during which interval of time the remoteattendant is online.
 11. A system according to claim 10, wherein thecomputer processing means includes means for determining when theinterval of time between incoming calls has met or exceeded a presetvalue.
 12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the computerprocessing means includes means for controlling the call extending meansto release a multi-purpose station, whereby the remote attendant isdisconnected.
 13. An interactively-supervised, computer-controlledsystem for allocating tasks in a network for servicing incoming calls,the system comprising:computer processing means; call extending means;the computer processing means including means providing digitally codedcommands to the call extending means and the call extending meansincluding means providing status data to the computer processing meansso the call extending means provides for extending incoming calls foranswer and service by a group of remote service attendants on the publicswitched network in accord with an allocation of tasks determined by thedigital coded commands; display means and manual input means for use bya supervisor in interactively controlling the computer processing means;the computer processing means being continually responsive to statusdata provided by the call extending means to generate on the displaymeans a human-readable, continually-updated status report by which thesupervisor may be prompted to use the manual input means to entersupervisory commands; and means for measuring the interval of timebetween incoming calls for each incoming line, during which interval oftime the remote attendant is online.
 14. A system according to claim 13,wherein the computer processing means includes means for determiningwhen the interval of time between incoming calls has met or exceeded apreset value.
 15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the computerprocessing means includes means for controlling the call extending meansto release a multi-purpose station, whereby the remote attendant isdisconnected.